Doctors: When Did You Adopt an Electronic Health Record System?

Of the 36% of physicians with an electronic health record (EHR) system surveyed by Medical Economics, more than half (58%) have had their EHRs for more than two years. Only a small group (6%) of respondents said their practice had adopted an EHR within the past six months.


The survey also found that of the 65% of physicians without an EHR system in place, approximately one in three (30%) said they planned to adopt an EHR system within the next year.

What were the top three reasons for adopting an EHR system? Physician respondents cited better documentation, improved access to records and enhanced quality of care, according to the survey. The ability to defend a malpractice suit was ranked as the least important reason by survey respondents.

The results are based on a December 2006 survey of 548 physicians, and were published in Medical Economics.