Case Study: Can Information Systems Make Your Doctor Better?

1. What problems are hospitals and physicians encountering in diagnosing diseases and prescribing medications? What management, organization, and technology factors are responsible for these problems?
Hospitals and doctors are encountering problems in diagnosing illnesses and prescribing drugs. These problems include: using drugs improperly which cause adverse reactions, inappropriate drugs, poor handwriting, memory lapses, fatigue, distractions and to much volume. The factors responsible for this problem are poor management of information and lack of good technology to handle all this information.

2. Are CPOE and DDS systems appropriate solutions? Why or why not? What management, technology, and organization issues are involved in the use of these systems?
CPOE and DDS systems are not necessarily good systems for these environments. They must be adapted to the needs of the clinic and users must be properly trained in the operation of the systems. They are expensive systems with good theoretical application it is just a matter of time and resources to properly implement them. When using these systems good management of information is vital. The technology platforms can be user friendly after training.

3. What obstacles prevent computer systems from improving the medical industry? How can these obstacles be removed?
The obstacles that prevent computer systems from improving the medical system are that the human discretion will always be needed for diagnoses and treatment. Insurance policies also may inhibit the proper application of these systems. Digital patient record systems are not common enough yet either. To remove any obstacles the medical industry as a whole, that being insurance companies, clinics, and patients alike must implement changes to help facilitate these computerized programs to function at maximum capacity.

Sources: Management Information Systems Managing the Digital Firm, tenth edition. pgs. 505-507. Laudon, Kenneth C.