The Rise of Electronic Health Record Adoption Among Family Physicians

PURPOSE Realizing the benefits of adopting electronic health records (EHRs) in large measure depends heavily on clinicians and providers’ uptake and meaningful use of the technology. This study examines EHR adoption among family physicians using 2 different data sources, compares family physicians with other office-based medical specialists, assesses variation in EHR adoption among family physicians across states, and shows the possibility for data sharing among various medical boards and federal agencies in monitoring and guiding EHR adoption. METHOD We undertook a secondary analysis of American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) administrative data (2005–2011) and data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) (2001–2011). RESULTS The EHR adoption rate by family physicians reached 68% nationally in 2011. NAMCS family physician adoption rates and ABFM adoption rates (2005–2011) were similar. Family physicians are adopting EHRs at a higher rate than other office-based physicians as a group; however, significant state-level variation exists, indicating geographical gaps in EHR adoption. CONCLUSION Two independent data sets yielded convergent results, showing that adoption of EHRs by family physicians has doubled since 2005, exceeds other office-based physicians as a group, and is likely to surpass 80% by 2013. Adoption varies at a state level. Further monitoring of trends in EHR adoption and characterizing their capacities are important to achieve comprehensive data exchange necessary for better, affordable health care.

[1]  D. Blumenthal.  Launching HITECH. , 2010, The New England journal of medicine.

[2]  R. Phillips,et al.  Engagement of Family Physicians in Maintenance of Certification Remains High , 2012, The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.

[3]  Glen R Stream,et al.  Trends in adoption of electronic health records by family physicians in Washington State. , 2009, Informatics in primary care.

[4]  Nir Menachemi,et al.  Examining the adoption of electronic health records and personal digital assistants by family physicians in Florida. , 2006, Informatics in primary care.

[5]  Rainu Kaushal,et al.  Electronic Health Records: Which Practices Have Them, and How Are Clinicians Using Them? , 2006, AMIA.

[6]  Establishing a Baseline: Health Information Technology Adoption among Family Medicine Diplomates , 2011, The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.

[7]  Sowmya R. Rao,et al.  Electronic health records in ambulatory care--a national survey of physicians. , 2008, The New England journal of medicine.

[8]  D. Berwick,et al.  The triple aim: care, health, and cost. , 2008, Health affairs.

[9]  D. Blumenthal.  Stimulating the adoption of health information technology. , 2009, The West Virginia medical journal.

[10]  L. Green,et al.  Engagement of Family Physicians Seven Years Into Maintenance of Certification , 2011, The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.

[11]  Nir Menachemi,et al.  Physician and Practice Characteristics Associated with Longitudinal Increases in Electronic Health Records Adoption , 2011, Journal of healthcare management / American College of Healthcare Executives.

[12]  Imam M. Xierali,et al.  Family Physician Participation in Maintenance of Certification , 2011, The Annals of Family Medicine.

[13]  E. Hing,et al.  Electronic health record systems and intent to apply for meaningful use incentives among office-based physician practices: United States, 2001-2011. , 2011, NCHS data brief.

[14]  Eric W. Jamoom,et al.  Physicians in nonprimary care and small practices and those age 55 and older lag in adopting electronic health record systems. , 2012, Health affairs.