The “Field of Dreams” Myth and the Health Information Technology Industry

The Myths:

“ If we build it, they will come.”

If only the technology is good enough, it will be purchased/adopted, and we will be successful.

Pressure from the government and payers will force the transition to electronic medial records.



The Realities:

The real customers are not wearing dark suites, do not have MBA’s, nor do they wear shiny shoes.

What may make perfect sense to the decision makers are commonly disastrous for those actually delivering the "care" as well as for their trusting patients. (In spite of good intents and visions)

No amount of incentives or pressures from above will succeed unless the solutions ease the pains of the caretakers in the white coats.

Implementation is a poorly understood term that is causing much confusion as well as misguided efforts. Thus, current EMR failure rates in the industry are in excess of 80% (if success is defined as comprehensive physician use).

Success with an EMR at a site or two does not promise the solution/approach can be generalized. This is especially true if the site has implementation resources greater than the norm.



The Consequences?

Great fodder for a movie or entertainment?

Billions more wasted dollars and more years of wasted effort?