Irish doctors lag behind Europe in computer use
The study ranks Ireland as 22nd out of the 27 EU countries for using computers to store administrative and medical data.
The report by the European Commission claims its findings place Ireland in a “small group of laggards” who are failing to see computers as an essential and unquestioned part of a modern practice.
Only 73% of GP practices in the Republic use computers compared to the EU average of 87%, while 11 member states have computer usage rates in excess of 96%.
Overall, the study claims Ireland can be considered an average performer among the 27 EU states in what it calls “eHealth”.
Irish doctors also have internet and broadband access levels below the average of GPs across Europe. Only 65% of GP practices in the Republic use the internet, while just 44% have a broadband connection.
Although computers are available in the consultation room of 68% of Irish GP practices, slightly more than half use computers for consultation purposes.
The report also notes that the electronic exchange of patient data is not yet common practice in the Republic. Only 2% of GPs exchange medical data with other healthcare providers compared to the EU average of 10%.
The most common use Irish doctors make of their computers for exchanging data is to obtain laboratory results of tests on patients. However, 15% of Irish doctors exchange administrative data with health insurance companies.
Ninety seven percent of Irish doctors have password protected computers but are still less likely to use more advanced security protection than other Europeans.
Irish doctors are still quite positive in their belief that computers can improve healthcare services.
Yet only half of over 200 Irish GPs surveyed see a positive impact on the quality of their diagnosis and treatment decisions.
