Physician Characteristics Associated with Early Adoption of Electronic Medical Records in Smaller Group Practices

Physician Characteristics Associated with Early Adoption of Electronic Medical Records in Smaller Group Practices

Liam O’Neill, Jeffery Talbert, William Klepack
Copyright: © 2011 |Pages: 10
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60960-780-7.ch011
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Abstract

To examine physician characteristics and practice patterns associated with the adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) in smaller group practices. Primary care physicians in Kentucky were surveyed regarding their use of EMRs. Respondents were asked if their practice had fully implemented, partially implemented, or not implemented EMRs. Of the 482 physicians surveyed, the rate of EMR adoption was 28%, with 14% full implementation and 14% partial implementation. Younger physicians were significantly more likely to use EMRs (p = 0.00). For those in their thirties, 45% had fully or partially implemented EMRs compared with 15% of physicians aged 60 and above. In logistic regression analyses that controlled for practice characteristics, age, male gender, and rural location predicted EMR adoption. Younger physicians in smaller group practices are more likely to adopt EMRs than older physicians. EMRs were also associated with an increased use of chronic disease management.
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Background And Conceptual Framework

Compared to other OECD countries, the US lags 5-10 years behind in public investment for health information networks. For example, the United Kingdom (UK) has invested $11.5 billion in an enterprise-wide EMR, as compared with $125 million U.S. Federal spending on Health Information Technology (HIT) over a comparable period (Anderson et al. 2006). Hence these countries have moved beyond the planning stage and toward implementation. Patients in the UK can now choose hospitals and make appointments through a national, on-line scheduling system. Canada expects to have EMRs for half its population by 2009.

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