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Survey: Ophthalmologists hold negative perceptions of EHRs
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A current survey of ophthalmologists shows the use of electronic health records has more than doubled in the past 10 years, but respondents had more negative perceptions of electronic health records in regard to productivity and effect on practice costs.
Researchers sent surveys to a random sample of 2,000 American Academy of Ophthalmology members, to which 348 ophthalmologists responded. The population-based, cross-sectional study included results from a survey assessing the adoption rates of electronic health records (EHRs) and perceptions of financial and clinical productivity.
Among respondents, 72.1% reported adoption of EHRs for some or all physicians in their practice, compared with 47% in a 2011 survey and 19% in a 2006 survey.
Perceptions of EHR utility changed over the years. In 2006, more than 60% of survey respondents reported a perception that productivity had increased or was the same since EHR adoption, whereas in 2016 more than 50% perceived a decrease in productivity since EHR adoption.
Furthermore, 41% of respondents believed their net practice revenue had decreased since EHR adoption, 35% thought their net practice revenue had stayed the same, and only about 9% believed it had increased net revenue.
“Ophthalmologists who responded to this survey perceive that productivity and net revenues have declined and that costs associated with the use of the EHR have increased in comparison with two previous surveys,” the authors said, although they did find that in three studies in large academic ophthalmology practices, patient volume did not change after implementation.
The authors concluded from their findings that there is need for improvement in usability of EHRs and their associated meaningful use requirements, naming cost and complexity as possible deterrents to participation in EHR incentive programs. – by Robert Linnehan
Disclosures: Lim reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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