Healthcare Information Technology Acceptance and E-Health

i This issue of IJHISI delivers a set of articles that further expand the breadth and depth of our understanding of key issues in health information systems and informatics. As with authors of papers appearing in previous issues, the assembled contributors also use a range of research methodologies, from conceptual model-ing and framework development to survey-based statistical analyses. In the first article, " Computerization of Primary Care in the United States, " Anderson and Balas use a survey-based approach to assess information technology (IT) usage among primary care physicians. As these physicians represent a major stakeholder group in the U.S. healthcare system, insights into the adoption and diffusion patterns of IT among them will enhance our knowledge of how IT is being deployed in primary healthcare delivery. With increased productivity and improved quality being the prime goals in the use and deployment of IT in healthcare delivery, many questions arise that need our attention, for example: What types of IT are being used by physicians? What are their perceived benefits? What are the major barriers to IT acceptance? These and other questions are among those investigated in this research. One interesting though puzzling result is that a high number of physicians did not indicate any interest at all in the types of IT applications being surveyed. Overall, the authors find that perceived benefits and barriers are important predictors of IT implementation. The study has significant implications for developing strategies as well as interfaces in the introduction of IT applications into healthcare settings. As for the second article, " Telehealth Organizational Implementation Guideline Issues: A Canadian Perspective, " Yeo and Jen-nett conduct a comprehensive review of the policies, guidelines, and standards vis-à-vis the organizational settings of telehealth practices in Canada. To develop theoretically sound and empirically based perspectives, their research uses a triangulation of common methodologies, including literature review, stakeholder survey and questionnaire, and interviews. Results of their study are categorized into the four major themes of organizational readiness, quality assurance, accountability, and continuity. The authors point out that a vast number of their findings relate mostly to the themes of organizational readiness and accountability whereas quality of care and patient safety have gained only scattered attention. The findings and recommendations are useful in the evolution of telehealth services and their successful management. The Lichtenberg et al. article, " Enhancing Cognitive Screening in Geriatric Care: Use of an Internet-Based System, " …