Utility of Decision Support Software
An article published in the current issue of Medical Economics describes the value of clinical decision support software integrated with electronic health record systems. The opinion piece was written by the Vice President for Practice Advocacy and Improvement at the American College of Physicians, Dr. Michael Barr.
One example cited by the internist is diagnosis of rare or uncommon conditions that are simply are not seen in a general office setting with great frequency. Software that provides assistance generating a differential diagnosis will include these red herrings. Clinicians can then evaluate which explanation is most fitting in concert with signs, symptoms, and diagnostic test results. Four solutions that already include this capability are Iliad, D-Explain, QMR, and Isabel, according to a June report in Medical Economics that details these solutions.
Other decision making programs improve healthcare quality when delivered at the point of care, such as those that include information relevant to a given disease state or provide management guidance. The author suggests that programs which allow physicians to input factors that influence patient’s choice of therapy, including age or simple preference for one treatment option over another, would yield further benefits.
One example cited is choosing one treatment plan over another for a patient who may have difficulty complying with a complex treatment plan, such as a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. A drug that only requires once daily dosing would likely be a superior option compared to those that required treatment multiple times during the day.
One factor that may be limiting both development adoption of these tools is the current reimbursement system. Physicians generate revenue based on the number of patients they see, which fosters an approach to streamline care and use time efficiently. Decision making tools may impede the workflow.
With the continued focus on improving quality and outcomes, investigations to determine the benefits of decision making software are certainly worth considering.
July 27, 2007 Related topics: Trends, Diagnostic