New research concludes that the pace of automating and integrating care management workflows into health IT systems, remains slow.
 
The findings come out of "The 2010 Health Information Technology Survey: How Technology Is Changing the Practice of Case Management" report, conducted by TCS Healthcare Technologies (TCS) in conjunction with the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) and the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians, Inc. (ABQAURP).

In 2008, TCS, CMSA and ABQAURP coordinated the first in-depth survey to examine health IT trends in the field of care management. The organizations reunited to conduct the 2010 survey, allowing a longitudinal comparison of survey data.

Both surveys were distributed to approximately 15,000 healthcare professionals. In 2008, 521 respondents completed the online HIT questionnaire; in 2010, 670 respondents completed the survey. Researchers noted that "generally speaking" the 2008 and 2010 surveys had similar findings. However, they noted that a third survey would be distributed next year, in order to present a more reliable trend.  

"These surveys represent the largest research effort assessing the opportunities and challenges associated with IT innovations in care management," said Rob Pock, TCS CEO and founder. "A main objective was to identify trends for care management software applications, specific capabilities within those applications, and additional applications used by providers, payors, care managers and others to support patient care." 

Key findings of the study are:

• Sixty-nine percent use multiple health IT systems, while 16 percent use only one health IT system;
• Twenty-three percent of information technology systems are fully integrated and interoperable with other external IT applications;
• Twenty-three percent have moved to a completely paperless environment regarding patient or care management records;
• Fifty-four percent scan medical records, documents, or communications into their medical management information system;
• Thirty-five percent can share clinical data electronically with other providers; and
• Twenty-six percent allow providers to access report cards that show physician-and patient-specific compliance with reporting initiatives.

"Despite the slower than expected integration, the survey data indicates progress is occurring," notes Teri Treiger, president of CMSA. However, "trends related to interoperability, functionality, and satisfaction levels indicate more work needs to done to leverage best practices for medical care."
 
Survey participants were generally positive about embracing emerging patient communication strategies within the next two years. Respondents anticipate a three-fold increase for using text messaging, 'smart phones,' and wireless remote monitoring, and a doubling in the use of online personal health records, patient portals, remote monitoring and social networking.

When assessing case management caseloads, the survey found that caseload ranges were most frequently 25 to 49 cases per week; and the most time spent in face-to-face contacts with patients is for those with caseloads of 100 to 124 per week.

Researchers say these findings document the need to standardize clinical workflows across various case management settings.

Cheri Lattimer, executive director of CMSA, noted that "responses to the survey's satisfaction questions indicate challenges remain for mobilizing care management software platforms that satisfy the desires of case managers and other users. Only one in five respondents said that care management software helped them to 'spend more time' with patients."

Lattimer adds, "the majority report feeling dissatisfied with the promise to upgrade functionality. Dissatisfaction with current platforms offers an important window of opportunity to vendors who know how to and can successfully execute them."

"One bright spot is that HIT systems in care management and other healthcare settings will continue to evolve," said Joel V. Brill, MD, board of directors, ABQAURP. "Well-designed HIT systems that integrate care management with the business and clinical IT platforms and increase efficiency in communications will have a significant impact on population health management. These features are critically important for accountable care management programs and the patients they serve."

Click here to access full results of survey.