Survey reveals physician dissatisfaction with EHRs

The nationwide survey of 952 doctors conducted for Medical Economics by the MPI Group between November and December 2013 indicated that nearly three-quarters say the conversion to an EHR was not worth it, according to a press release.

Also, about 45 percent of those surveyed said patient care is even worse as a result of their EHR adoption.

Among other highlights of the survey:

• 65 percent of respondents say adoption of an EHR has led to financial losses.

• 67 percent say that system functionality influences their decisions to purchase or switch systems.

• 69 percent of respondents say that coordination of care with hospitals has not improved. 

• 38 percent doubt their systems will still be viable in five years.

Given that physicians are being pushed into adopting EHRs through a government-mandated incentives program, this survey adds a wrinkle to the program's ultimate success, said an executive vice president of the Advanstar Medical Communications Group, the healthcare media division that includes Medical Economics, a brand for primary care physicians, in the press release. "These results showcase a major disconnect between the goals of the government's EHR incentive program for providers and the implementation of these systems. Physicians are giving the healthcare information technology sector valuable insight on their customers' preferences, and vendors should factor this into their future development plans," she added.