Forum: IT won't help much until practices shift operations

Health IT experts at a forum sponsored by the Brookings Institute last week gathered to discuss how IT use could be accelerated and integrated within the healthcare system. But along the way, they noted that unless medical practice operations change, the technology itself won't do a lot.

To date, health IT adoption continues to be slow, according to research by the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at Brookings, with only 17 to 29 percent of doctors nationwide using some form of EMR.

In discussing how widespread adoption of health IT could be encouraged, experts at the forum discussed the need for interoperability standards. They also talked about the need for a compelling business case to encourage participation from both the private and Medicare sides.

To learn more about the forum:
- read this Modern Healthcare piece

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