Study: HIT can build patient-centered care

Healthcare IT can do much to help provider organizations do more to build care around patients, at least if it's adopted systematically and thoughtfully, according to a new study done by the Commonwealth Fund. Researches say that HIT is most effective at supporting patient-centered care if administrators make HIT adoption easy for patients and clinicians-in particular, by implementing applications slowly enough that both have time to assimilate the technology changes.  In addition to having smart HIT strategies in place, provider organizations also need patient and family involvement, a supportive work environment and organization-wide communication in place to promote patient-centered care.

The report, which was sponsored by The Picker Institute, says that MCG Health System in Augusta, GA, and Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI are doing a particularly good job at establishing patient- and family-centered care.

To find out more about this research:
- read this Healthcare IT News piece