Engaging Physicians to Adopt Healthcare Information Technology (Physician RELATIONS‪)‬

Healthcare information technology (HIT) is one of the most expensive capital investments for any healthcare organization. HIT adoption is a complex process because adoption and implementation depend on buy-in from physicians, most of whom are not employed by the organization and whose thinking varies widely. HIT comprises systems such as the electronic medical record, computerized physician-order entry, and decision support systems that integrate and improve access to health- and patient-related data. This column (1) summarizes the case for HIT adoption and the issues that give physicians pause about HIT, (2) provides a real-world example of a successful HIT journey, and (3) presents strategies for HIT implementation. In addition, we discuss the role of HIT in the patient-centered medical home model.