Adoption of health information technologies by physicians for clinical practice: The Andalusian case

• Use of HIT by physicians has a positive effect on their perceived usefulness.
• Financial issues remain as a major barrier even with a strong policy commitment.
• Technological issues do not seem to hinder the adoption of eHealth.
• Telemedicine services are still in an early stage of integration in Andalusia.

ObjectivesWe investigated the level of adoption of Health Information Technologies (HIT) services, and the factors that influence this, amongst specialised and primary care physicians; in Andalusia, Spain.MethodsWe analysed the physicians’ responses to an online survey. First, we performed a statistical descriptive analysis of the data; thereafter, a principal component analysis; and finally an order logit model to explain the effect of the use in the adoption and to analyse which are the existing barriers.ResultsThe principal component analysis revealed three main uses of Health Information Technologies: Electronic Health Records (EHR), ePrescription and patient management and telemedicine services. Results from an ordered logit model showed that the frequency of use of HIT is associated with the physicians’ perceived usefulness. Lack of financing appeared as a common barrier to the adoption of the three types of services.For ePrescription and patient management, the physician's lack of skills is still a barrier. In the case of telemedicine services, lack of security and lack of interest amongst professionals are the existing barriers.ConclusionsEHR functionalities are fully adopted, in terms of perceived usefulness. EPrescription and patient management are almost fully adopted, while telemedicine is in an early stage of adoption.