Consultant Attitudes on the Impact of Computers: Users Compared with Non‐Users

Abstract

The attitudes of doctors towards Computer‐Based Information Systems (CBIS) are crucial to the successful implementation of medical audit, resource management and clinical protocols. We present the results of a postal questionnaire survey of 846 consultants (471 replies) on their attitudes towards computers. The survey revealed doctors′ requirements (demands) of CBISs and also their concerns (expectations) about the likely impact of these systems. Clear differences are found between the concerns of doctors who are computer users and those who are not. The latter displaying more negative attitudes. It is assumed that if the attitudes of the non‐users become like those of the user′s implementation of CBISs will be more successful. Requirements for CBISs were very similar between the two groups, suggesting that changes in attitudes are not required, but that systems should display the features listed in the demand section of the questionnaire. A strategy for the implementation of CBISs should have two strands. It should meet the demands and reduce the concerns of non‐users over computer systems. The findings of this survey present for the first time an empirical basis for the development of such a strategy.

Citation

Munday, S. and Young, D.W. (1993), "Consultant Attitudes on the Impact of Computers: Users Compared with Non‐Users", Journal of Management in Medicine, Vol. 7 No. 4, pp. 34-41. https://doi.org/10.1108/02689239310045170