Texas EMR resistance shows extent of adoption problem

If Texas is any indication, the EMR adoption movement has more problems in store than many people think. According to a new survey on the subject by the Texas Medical Association, one-third of physicians are using some form of EMR, up from 27 percent in a similar survey in 2005. However, about one-fourth of respondents said that they still have no plans to implement an EMR, the same level as the previous survey. Meanwhile, about 2 percent of respondents had used an EMR in the past, but quit, most often saying that reliability problems, difficulty in using the EMR or insufficient benefits doomed the installation.

Top vendors adopted by EMR-equipped practices answering in the survey included e-MD, used by 15 percent of respondents, followed by eClinicalWorks, with 9 percent.

That being said, those who have adopted an EMR seem to be glad they did, the TMA report said. Eight-one percent of practices with an EMR said that the system is in full use by all of  its doctors. Also, roughly three-fourths of practices reported being very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their systems. Still, even those physicians had plenty of gripes, with 27 percent saying one of the things they liked least about their systems was that costs went up without generating complimentary savings.

To learn more about the study (and other related studies):
- read this Modern Healthcare article (reg. req.)

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