Functional gaps in attaining a national health information network.

We describe the health information technology (HIT) required for a model of a national health information network (NHIN). Specifically, we define the functional HIT capabilities of an attainable NHIN and determine the gap between the current state of HIT and its likely state in five years, given current trends of adoption. Administrative functionalities will be more prevalent than clinical functionalities in five years. Smaller stakeholders, such as home health care agencies, will lag in adoption. Policy changes, such as financial incentives to HIT end users or regulatory measures, may help accelerate the adoption of HIT for a model NHIN.