Questions regarding this approach include the following:

Should the position be filled by a current physician or someone from another hospital with experience in information technology?

Will the medical staff respect someone who has stopped practicing to assume this position?

Should the position be full$-$time or part$-$time?

Should physicians be paid during the first few months to attend training sessions, vendor presentations, and other meetings.

Should the hospital hire additional doctors to work as temporary backup for the current physicians.

Should nurses be trained to serve as $$super$-$users$$ of the new EHR system and

assist nurses and doctors in its use. A question related to this step is:

Should there be younger nurses who may be more comfortable with technology or older nurses who might command the respect of their peers?

The board has made it clear that the hospital cannot afford all of these measures. But it has also made it clear that the hospital should not, under any circumstances, fail to receive the federal stimulus funds. As the next board meeting approaches, Phil begins drafting his recommendation.