Survey: Physicians Split on EHR Systems’ Effect on Health Care Delivery

Physicians have different views as to whether health IT will improve health care, according to a new survey, Reuters reports.

For the report, Thomson Reuters and practice management company HCPlexus surveyed 2,958 physicians of various specialties on their views on health care reform, including health IT initiatives.

When asked about the impact of using electronic health records:

• 39% of respondents said EHRs would help patients;
• 37% said the effect would be neutral; and
• 24% said EHRs would negatively affect care (Fox, Reuters, 1/19).

The survey allowed participants to provide comments.

One Colorado dermatologist said that his practice has had EHRs in place for three years and that EHRs make it “easier to keep track of patients” at different offices.

However, an Arizona dermatologist said he thinks EHRs gets in the way of patient-doctor interaction. He said, “You cannot record your patient’s answer and still maintain eye contact and watch the patient’s body language as you proceed with the interview” (Clark, HealthLeaders Media, 1/20).

The report concludes that “greater attention should be paid to understanding the present opinions of the health care provider constituency before proceeding down a path of reform” (Reuters, 1/19).

Source: iHealthBeat