The role of perceptions of clinicians in their adoption of a web-based antibiotic approval system: do perceptions translate into actions?

PURPOSE: Computerized Decision Support Systems have been shown to improve clinicians' performance. Clinicians' adoption of these systems is crucial for their success. Studying clinicians' perceptions can provide an insight into the determinants of clinicians' adoption of such systems. The aim of this study was to measure clinicians' perceptions of ease of use and usefulness of a web-based antibiotic approval system, and to investigate the relationship between the reported perceptions and use of the system.

METHODS: Potentially identifiable coded surveys were sent to a total of 70 senior and 150 junior medical staff, and 30 pharmacists all working at a tertiary care referral teaching hospital of Melbourne, Australia. Clinicians' perceptions of ease of use and usefulness of the antibiotic approval system; clinicians' general computer use; and clinicians' usage of the antibiotic approval system were measured.

RESULTS: The overall response rate from the clinicians was 53.4%. The majority of the participants (70% and above) found it easy to obtain antibiotic approval using the system. More than 80% of the participants believed that the system will decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics at the hospital. Clinicians who were more likely to use the system also found it easy to learn (Rho=0.392, p=0.001), easy to show others how to use the system (Rho=0.298, p=0.014), easy to find additional information (Rho=0.317, p=0.009), and easy to use it within their daily workflow (Rho=0.268, p=0.028). In addition, the clinicians were also more likely to use the system if they believed that it will improve their adherence to evidence-based practice (Rho=0.352, p=0.003).

CONCLUSION: The majority of clinicians in an independent investigation of the antibiotic approval system found the system easy to use and useful to them. A number of clinicians' perceptions about the system were found to be correlated with the actual usage of the system by the clinicians.