Despite dissatisfaction, few practices considering switching systems
MONDAY, Oct. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The majority of physicians are dissatisfied with their current electronic health record (EHR) systems, according to survey results released Oct. 16 by Medical Economics.
The seventh annual survey analyzed responses from 1,100 physicians. Nearly half of respondents were in independent practice (49 percent), and the majority of respondents represented primary care practices (21 percent family medicine, 17 percent internal medicine, and 16 percent pediatrics).
According to the results of the survey, the vast majority of respondents use an ambulatory EHR system (87 percent). Those not using an EHR system cited interference with patient relationships (46 percent) and preference for paper (43 percent) as top reasons for not using one. On a scale of 1 to 5, the average satisfaction score was 2.8. While most respondents are not thinking of switching systems (67 percent), most report unhappiness with their current system, with 60 percent saying they would not purchase their current system again. Two-thirds of respondents want a more user-friendly system, and nearly half (48 percent) want more customizable options. Enabling electronic prescribing (64 percent) and improved communication through patient portals (33 percent) were the most appreciated functions of EHR systems.
“The results of the 2019 Medical Economics EHR Scorecard provide further evidence to support what physicians have been telling us for years: EHR vendors, and the government that regulates and credentials them, must do a better job of engaging with physicians when designing and improving these crucial systems,” Chris Mazzolini, editorial director of Medical Economics, said in a statement.
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