Cost of EHR Systems Outweigh Financial Benefits, Survey Finds
Although most physicians believe that electronic health record systems can improve patient outcomes, slightly more than half say the cost of EHRs outweigh the financial benefit, according to EHR vendor athenahealth’s Physician Sentiment Index, Modern Healthcare reports.
Survey Details
For its fourth annual survey, athenahealth polled 1,200 physicians in March who use the company’s Epocrates electronic decision support and clinical workflow tools. Of the survey respondents:
- 70% were specialists;
- 47% were in independent practice; and
- 30% were primary care doctors.
Survey Findings
The survey found that the majority of respondents have a favorable opinion of EHRs, with:
- 38% reporting a somewhat favorable opinion;
- 31% reporting a very favorable opinion;
- 14% reporting a neutral opinion;
- 12% reporting a somewhat unfavorable opinion; and
- 6% reporting a very unfavorable opinion.
According to the survey, 55% of respondents said the patient care benefits of EHRs outweigh the costs.
However, 51% of respondents said the financial benefits of EHRs do not outweigh the costs (Robeznieks, “Vital Signs,” Modern Healthcare, 8/14). Source
