Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the perspective of clinicians about the effect of information technology (IT) on healthcare improvement.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted in 2014-15, developed a questionnaire to evaluate of the perspective of 281 employees at two general hospitals affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences to measure the effect of IT on improving the healthcare system. The data was analyzed using the descriptive Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Kruskal-Wallis tests. One-way ANOVA was used to compare groups.

RESULTS: The overall attitude of the research population about the effect of IT on healthcare was positive, with an average score of 3.29 ± 0.90. The most influential effects of IT on the healthcare were accelerated diagnosis and treatment. The use of standardized messaging was the most effective approach for improving the healthcare system. Developing a standard mechanism for protection of data and establishing clear rules for acceptance of computer documentation by the judicial authorities were the most influential cases to increase IT effects in the healthcare system.

CONCLUSION: Physicians play important roles in the successful implementation of IT because they are directly involved in the treatment of patients. Their opinions should be considered when providing or creating any type of system. The importance of budgeting for IT should be considered, because applying these systems can be capital intensive. Because application of such systems requires acceptance by legal circles of the information obtained, it is necessary for preparations to be made.

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