Clinical decision support systems use in Wisconsin.

CONTEXT Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are becoming increasingly common in medical practice. OBJECTIVE To assess utilization, level of interest, and potential barriers to implementation of CDSS among physicians providing inpatient care in Wisconsin. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS A Web-based survey consisting of 20 questions e-mailed to 5783 members of the Wisconsin Medical Society. RESULTS Of those contacted, 496 (9%) responded and 356 (72%) were eligible for the survey. According to 38% of respondents, CDSS were in place in their facility; less than a third were computer-based. Few existing users of CDSS reported being dissatisfied (2%) although 38% of the respondents were unfamiliar with CDSS or their use in medical practice. Most (79%) described themselves as receptive to new decision support tools, though the most commonly anticipated barrier to implementation was physician acceptance. CONCLUSIONS CDSS are used in limited capacity in Wisconsin and existing systems are not likely to be computer-based. Despite physicians expressing a generally favorable interest in CDSS, a knowledge gap persists.