Informatics and Technology
From sophisticated data management systems to the Internet and email, information technology is transforming the way consumers get health information, the way physicians practice medicine, the way researchers conduct their studies, and the way the health care industry does business. The RAND Corporation is at the forefront of research on the promises and pitfalls of information technology for health care. Our current projects are described below.
Profiles of Current Research
The Potential of Health Information Technology (HIT) to Transform Health Care
A research activity—part of the broader Comprehensive Assessment of Reform Efforts (COMPARE) project—that is examining the potential impact of HIT on health care spending, health quality, safety, reduction of waste, public health responsiveness, and individual financial risk.
Contact: Richard Hillestad, PhD (Richard_Hillestad@rand.org)Congressional Report on Advance Directives
A project to produce a draft report to Congress on advance directives (ADs), one part of which will include the creation of a topic paper discussing the role of health information technology in promoting ADs, including registries.
Contact: RAND_Health@rand.orgWeb-Based IT Solution for Substance-Use Prevention
Development of a model and support tools to help local groups develop or improve substance-use prevention programs.
Contact: Matthew Chinman, PhD (Matthew_Chinman@rand.org)Internet Resources for Nursing Home Selection
A project to review the information currently available on the Internet to help consumers choose a nursing home, identify the information consumers actually use, and determine whether the available resources meet their needs.
Contact: Lisa Shugarman, PhD (Lisa_Shugarman@rand.org)California Hospital Systems Database
A project to assemble a variety of analytically oriented hospital data files for easy access and use in research and policy analysis.
Contact: Glenn Melnick, PhD (Glenn_Melnick@rand.org
Highlights of Recent Studies
Health Information Technology: Can HIT Lower Costs and Improve Quality?
If properly implemented, HIT would save money and significantly improve health care quality.
RAND Study Says Health Information Technology Can Improve Quality and Efficiency; More Evidence Needed About How to Put the Technology into Wider Use
Electronic health records and other electronic health care technology can help improve the quality of care and increase efficiency, but more work is needed to show most health providers how to adopt the technology
Electronic Prescribing Systems: Making It Safer to Take Your Medicine?
Electronic prescribing systems may greatly reduce medication errors, thereby maximizing patient safety and health, but currently used systems vary widely in their features and capabilities and may not produce the best results for patient safety and health.
Related Web Sites
Electronic Prescribing Research
Working with Congress
RAND's Washington Office of Congressional Relations (OCR) furthers RAND's mission to provide objective analysis and effective solutions by disseminating research results to Congress and federal agencies. The OCR publishes a monthly electronic newsletter featuring current work on health policy. Contact: Shirley Ruhe (Shirley_Ruhe@rand.org) or Kristy Anderson (kristy@rand.org).
The RAND Health Congressional Newsletter
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