Social, Ethical and Legal Barriers to E-Health

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Author

James G. Anderson

Tech report number

CERIAS TR 2007-09

Entry type

article

Abstract

Background and purpose: Information technology such as electronic medical records (EMRs), electronic prescribing and decision support systems are recognized as essential tools in Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. But significant barriers impede widescale adoption of these tools, especially EMR systems. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate the present status of information technology in health care, the perceived benefits and barriers by primary care physicians. Methods: Literature analysis and survey data from primary care physicians on adoption of information technology are reviewed. Results: The U.S. trails European countries as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand in the use of information technology in primary care. The results of the study indicate that physicians in general perceive benefits to information technology, but also cite major barriers to its implementation in their practices. These barriers include lack of access to capital by health care providers, complex systems and lack of data standards that permit exchange of clinical data, privacy concerns and legal barriers. Conclusions: Overcoming these barriers will require subsidies and performance incentives by payers and government; certification and standardization of vendor applications that permit clinical data exchange; removal of legal barriers; and greater security of medical data to convince practitioners and patients of the value of EMRs.

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Date

2007

Institution

Purdue University

Journal

International Journal of Medical Informatics

Key alpha

Anderson

Pages

480-483

School

Liberal Arts

Volume

Affiliation

Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology

Publication Date

2007-01-01

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@Article{ Anderson,
	title = "Social, Ethical and Legal Barriers to E-Health",
	author = "James G. Anderson",
	year = "2007",
	institution = "Purdue University",
	journal = "International Journal of Medical Informatics",
	pages = "480-483",
	school = "Liberal Arts",
	volume = "76",
	abstract = "Background and purpose: Information technology such as electronic medical records (EMRs),
electronic prescribing and decision support systems are recognized as essential tools in
Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. But significant barriers impede widescale
adoption of these tools, especially EMR systems.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate the present status of information
technology in health care, the perceived benefits and barriers by primary care physicians.
Methods: Literature analysis and survey data from primary care physicians on adoption of
information technology are reviewed.
Results: The U.S. trails European countries as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand
in the use of information technology in primary care. The results of the study indicate
that physicians in general perceive benefits to information technology, but also cite major
barriers to its implementation in their practices. These barriers include lack of access to
capital by health care providers, complex systems and lack of data standards that permit
exchange of clinical data, privacy concerns and legal barriers.
Conclusions: Overcoming these barriers will require subsidies and performance incentives
by payers and government; certification and standardization of vendor applications that
permit clinical data exchange; removal of legal barriers; and greater security of medical
data to convince practitioners and patients of the value of EMRs.",
	affiliation = "Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology",
}