Since the HITECH Act of 2009, more pediatricians are using EHRs despite the lack of pediatric-specific features, according to a study published Monday in Pediatrics.
Based on a survey of more than 1,600 members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 79 percent of pediatricians reported using EHRs in 2012, up from 58 percent in 2009.
Here are some additional findings from the study:
- 50 percent of pediatricians agreed EHRs are necessary to provide quality care
- 31 percent of pediatricians use EHRs with basic functionality
- 14 percent use EHRs with full functionality
- 8 percent use EHRs with pediatric-specific functionality such as weight-based dosing, age-specific normal values and calculation of catch-up immunization
- 86 percent of pediatricians younger than 49 years old use EHRs
- 73 percent of pediatricians older than 49 use EHRs
- 50 percent of pediatricians not using EHRs expected to implement them within 12 months of the survey
- Pediatricians reported the biggest barriers to EHR implementation were concerns about productivity loss (74.9 percent), finding a system to meet their needs (72.3 percent), cost (63.5 percent) and installing a system that will become obsolete (60 percent).
- Pediatricians were less concerned by confidentiality breaches (38.8 percent), Stark Law violations (13.8 percent) and regulatory barriers (less than 10 percent).
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