What key barrier slowed the initial adoption rate of e-prescribing in the US after the technology was feasible?
Answer
Skepticism regarding the reliability and security of digital records compared to paper scripts
Even when the technological capability existed, the transition to widespread reliance on digital prescriptions was hindered by deeply rooted industry trust issues. Researchers noted repeatedly that skepticism was a significant barrier, focusing on whether digital records could be as reliable, secure, and legally sound as the tangible paper script. Furthermore, for pharmacies, there was a major concern that incoming data needed to be standardized, complete, and legally compliant across state lines before they could safely rely on the incoming digital information instead of paper documentation.
Related Questions
Which technology did Swedish e-prescribing utilize in the 1990s for secure prescription transmission?What heavily influenced the path toward widespread electronic prescribing adoption in the United States?How does the specific function of e-prescribing contrast with Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)?What operational hurdle represented a greater shift than the initial concept of digital prescription transmission?Which US legislation is noted for incentivizing the use of health IT, which included e-prescribing?What standard did early Swedish systems utilize to enable different software systems to communicate effectively?Which complex task is explicitly required for a fully functional electronic prescription system to handle reliably?What critical limitation affected early electronic prescribing attempts when they were tied solely to proprietary hospital systems?What central role did Surescripts fulfill in enabling broad US e-prescribing connectivity?What key barrier slowed the initial adoption rate of e-prescribing in the US after the technology was feasible?