Why Is the Use of Health Information Technology Lacking in the United States?

Health information technology in the United States lags behind other countries dramatically even though health care costs in America are significantly higher than other Western nations, according to Healthcare IT News.

Considerations

• The biggest factor for the lack of acceptance or implementation of health information technology is cost. According to a March 2009 survey published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the switch to all electronic recordkeeping costs an average of $20 million for small hospitals and as much as $200 million for larger hospitals.

Misconceptions

• Another major factor for the lack of electronic health records being adopted in U.S. hospitals and medical facilities is doctor resistance. Physicians cite cost, problems learning new programs and the difficulties in using various programs as reasons.

Function

• The third major reason is that there is no clear-cut software choice or program that is compatible across the board. This leads to difficulties among medical facilities or even departments using different methods or systems. This also creates the possibility of mistakes or serious oversights affecting patient care.