What is the most likely explanation for increased clinical computer use after 2000?

• A. Doctors were more comfortable using computers.
• B. Computers were very cheap and more doctors bought them for their offices.
• C. Laws passed that mandated clinical computer use.
• D. Research evidence was very strong that doctors could increase their income if they used EHRs.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that technology adoption in clinical settings grows when users feel comfortable with it and see how it fits into their workflow. After 2000, computers in clinics became more common, and software tools became more user-friendly and reliable. As doctors and staff gained experience, charting, orders, test results, and other routine tasks could be done efficiently on a computer, reinforcing continued use. This increasing ease of use and alignment with daily workflows made clinicians more confident and proficient with the technology, driving a rise in use.

Costs did fall over time, but that alone doesn’t explain the momentum; and while later policies and incentives encouraged adoption, they weren’t the primary spark for widespread use in the early 2000s. The stronger driver is the growing comfort and competence with using computers in patient care.