Perceptions of an Organizing Vision for Electronic Medical Records by Independent Physician Practices

Abstract

Adoption and usage rates of healthcare information technology (HIT) in general and electronic medical records (EMR) in particular are below expectations even though both show potential to help solve pressing problems plaguing the U.S. healthcare system. This research explores the role an organizing vision (OV) (Ramiller & Swanson, 2003) plays in shaping independent physician practices’ (IPP) perceptions of EMRs and hence their interest in adopting and using the technology. This paper reports on an OV for EMRs by using a mail survey of IPPs and uses factor analysis to examine structural properties and content of the OV among the practices. Contributions to theory include exploring the applicability of Ramiller and Swanson’s (Ramiller & Swanson, 2003) OV on HIT innovations in healthcare research. Contributions to practice include empowering HIT decision makers with a model for addressing the introduction of a technology innovation (EMR) into an independent physician practice.