Achieving Tangible IT Benefits in Small Physician Practices

Publication Date: September 2002

Publisher: California HealthCare Foundation

Author(s): Keith MacDonald; Jane Metzger

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Abstract:

Until fairly recently, the success stories of small physician practices implementing information technology (IT) solutions beyond billing functions have been few and far between. As traditional cost and complexity barriers have begun to diminish, however, IT solutions are finally beginning to emerge in this important arena. This report highlights creative new IT initiatives that small physician offices across the country have developed to improve the quality and efficiency of care. Physicians and staff at more than two dozen small physician practices were interviewed, along with vendors and leaders from several national professional organizations. The case study lessons are augmented in this report by an overview of available products and their general characteristics. Taken together, this report can serve as a guide for the small physician practice eager to find IT solutions for the challenges in their practices.