Study of Awareness, Attitude, and Utilization Pattern of Health Information Technology among Allied Health Professionals -- A Descriptive Study

ABSTRACT: Objective: To assess the awareness, attitude, and utilization pattern of Allied Health Professionals towards HIT in an allied health college under a teaching university of India. Method: Self-structured, pre-tested questionnaire that probe into the awareness, attitude, and utilization pattern of HIT among allied health professionals were administered to a randomly selected group of 40 allied health professionals. Descriptive statistics of their awareness, attitude and utilization pattern were calculated. Result: Significant difference was observed in Awareness towards HIT among professionals particularly relating to computer peripherals, internet, electronic health records, and International Classification of Diseases. Male respondents showed significant attitude difference towards the use of HIT in improving evidence-based practice, reducing cost of healthcare, and scheduling patient appointments. Senior professionals showed better utilization pattern than juniors. Conclusion: Lack of awareness about HIT could be due to the fact that most hospital information systems do not have rehabilitation modules and all the existing modules are physician-centered. Positive attitude toward HIT is an indication that allied health professionals are ready to accept and are open for HIT and their inclusion should be an issue for consideration. Utilization pattern of allied health professionals are indicative of the fact that most of them are making use of HIT in their profession. Recommendation: Rehabilitation module should be incorporated during design and development of any health information system and proper awareness and training programs to be conducted for effective and efficient utilization of these systems. Key words: Health Information Technology (HIT), allied health professionals, awareness, attitude, utilizatio