Health IT professionals say EHRs are their top priority, according to a survey by Embarcadero Technologies.
The databases, tools and developer software provider aggregated the opinions of their health IT professional contacts, including developers, database administrators, architects, consultants and executives, in March and April of this year.
The survey was done before the final ruling on the meaningful use criteria was released, which is good news for advocates of the HITECH Act. Survey results will vary according to whom you talk to, and there will always be stories of healthcare providers being on the fence. But the movement is happening.
Since his keynote speech at the HIMSS10 conference back in February, David Blumenthal, MD, head of the Office of the National Coordinator of Health IT, has emphasized that adopting health IT is a professional imperative. When the final ruling was released last week, he reiterated that belief. He's right, if you look at all the indicators, not just the federal programs but the market in general.
It is hard to believe any industry can move forward without technology. Not just physicians but many Americans are wired or wireless, with technology being an integral part of their everyday activities. It's just slow going for the healthcare industry. But it is happening, as the Embarcadero Technologies survey shows. It's just one indicator, but one of many.
Adopting health IT in the hospital, clinic and physician office will be a priority for a greater percentage of healthcare organizations as time goes on for efficiency's sake. Soon it will prove to be an enabler for better quality care. It will truly be a professional imperative because consumers - those tech-savvy consumers - will demand it.
