Article: Physicians Reluctant To Adopt EHR Systems, Survey Finds

This is a well written article that raises a lot of valid points...

Physicians Reluctant To Adopt EHR Systems, Survey Finds
July 03, 2008, http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/2008/7/3/Physicians-Reluctant-To-Adopt-EHR-Systems-Survey-Finds.aspx?topicID=54
 
Physicians cite concerns that the government will use electronic health record data to interfere in their practices as a top reason for being reluctant to adopt EHR systems, according to a survey conducted last month by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Healthcare IT News reports.

One of the physicians responded anonymously that EHRs are "designed for outside groups to monitor what is going on in a clinical encounter ... and there is great risk of information misuse."

The survey of more than 400 physicians found that 81% of respondents said their practice does not use an EHR system, and many respondents said they would rather retire in their 50s than adopt EHRs.

Other reasons cited for resisting adoption include:

• Privacy concerns;
• Apprehension about return on investment;
• Lack of capital to invest in health IT; and
• Preferring to use handwritten notes.

Congressional Action on Health IT
Leaders at AAPS said that mandating the use of health IT and "quality monitoring" of physicians is similar to regulating the practice of medicine, which Congress "has neither the expertise not the constitutional authority" to do.

AAPS officials added that Congress "cannot delegate to government agencies or private organizations authority it does not have."

However, American Medical Association officials are urging Congress to approve health IT legislation. AMA board member Steven Stack said health IT "has the potential to transform the way physicians practice medicine" (Manos, Healthcare IT News, 7/3).