Shared Electronic Health Records as Innovation

Based on the Diffusion of Innovation theory, this chapter addresses the following research question: Whether factors of diffusion of innovation theory influence care providers' willingness to adopt Shared Electronic Health Records (SEHRs). Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire distributed to over 5000 active members of the Australian Medical Association Queensland. A total of 588 valid responses were received from currently active care providers in Queensland. Multiple regression analysis and Chi-Square analysis were conducted to test the research hypotheses and answer the research question. The data revealed that while 72% of those surveyed were willing to adopt SEHRs, significant differences existed between public and private sector care providers and across the various tiers of the health system. In relation to the factors influencing future willingness to adopt, the variables comprising relative advantage were shown to have a significant impact upon future willingness to adopt shared electronic health records. The findings from this chapter will benefit those responsible for the future introduction of SEHRs, specifically by allowing policy makers to target the factors that influence care providers' willingness to adopt.