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By Mel Duvall
More than half of U.S. physicians who are not currently using fully functioning electronic medical record (EMR) systems say they intend to purchase one within the next two years, according to a survey from Accenture.
That would be a considerable increase from the 6 percent of physician offices that are currently using such systems.
“Our research indicates that, as intended, federal legislation is an important driver of EMR adoption among U.S. physicians,” Dr. Kip Webb, who leads Accenture’s clinical transformation practice, said in the report. “If U.S. healthcare providers properly implement and use EMRs more broadly, there is no doubt that EMRs can make an important contribution to improving quality of care and controlling costs.”
Accenture worked with Harris Interactive to survey 1,000 U.S. doctors at practices with fewer than 10 physicians to measure their views on EMRs. Accenture said the survey’s primary objective was to determine concerns and perceptions of EMRs and to gauge whether physicians were being motivated by federal incentives.
Among the findings:
- 58 percent of non-users intend to purchase an EMR system within the next two years.
- About 80 percent of physicians younger than 55 plan to implement an EMR system within the next two years.
- The key driver of EMR adoption is federal legislation and incentives -- 61 percent cited federal penalties for non-adoption and 51 percent cited federal incentives.
Accenture said the vast majority of EMR system users – 90 percent -- believe the systems have brought value to their practice. In particular, they say the EMR systems have provided an effective overview of relevant patients’ history, records and information and that the systems provide quicker and more accurate data entry.
Technology vendors have unveiled a wide range of products and services to try to capture a portion of the expected surge in EMR system purchases. This week Dell announced it was partnering with the American Medical Association to collaborate on platforms for EMRs, ePrescribing and laboratory services.
The new AMA platform will aim to make it easier for physicians to adopt the technologies. AMA said it will partner with physicians and their practice staff on the initial selection of products and services through to the implementation.
“We are not just connecting physicians with the tools and resources to run their practice, we are helping to create a community for physicians to share information and better coordinate and manage patient care,” AMA board member Steven Stack, M.D., said in a statement announcing the initiative.
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