According to research from the San Jose, Calif.-based Global Industry Analysts (GIA), the computerized physician order entry market is poised for tremendous growth over the coming year. The report, titled “Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) Systems: A Global Strategic Business Report,” says by 2018, the global market for CPOE systems will be valued at $1.5 billion. GIA says factors in this growth include the rising inclination towards patient safety, the acceptance of IT solutions in healthcare, and the growing use of EHRs.

GIA says despite these factors, the adoption of CPOE systems will face hurdles. The report says that even in countries with relatively higher adoption rates, usage still remains low thanks to a lack of commitment and interest from physicians. The report says that sporadic incidents of errors from the CPOE systems and other user errors have affected the physicians’ trust in these systems, which threatens further increases in adoption. In addition, the report’s authors say, initial prices of these systems remain prohibitively expensive

One trend the analysts noted is that CPOE systems are losing identity as standalone systems, as their implementation is highly linked to adoption of systems such as EMRs and hospital information systems. Progressively, the authors say, CPOE systems are emerging as a part of integrated platform for medication order management. Integration of CPOE systems with other healthcare information systems is gathering significant interest, both from end-user as well as vendor perspective, it says.

According to the report, the U.S. is the largest regional market worldwide. It is also expected to emerge as the fastest growing market for CPOE systems worldwide. Market for computerized physician order entry systems in the Rest of World market is projected to grow at a compounded annual rate of 8.7 percent during the analysis period.