Why is IT important?

Abstract

Healthcare organisations are under pressure to offer improved patient care while at the same time attempting to reduce or, at best, manage costs. Technology has always played an important role in medicine, helping with devices and improving investigations and treatments. In many cases, this technology has helped to boost revenues at the same time. Information Technology (IT) has been applied traditionally within the administrative areas of the organisation. More recently, it is being used within the clinical area and is therefore confronting healthcare professionals with both opportunities and challenges in carrying out their tasks. This paper attempts to cut through the jargon and hype surrounding trends in Information Technology and focus onaspects with which the organisation should be concerned.