While more ophthalmologists began using EHRs between 2006 and 2016, physicians' perception of their productivity decreased, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Researchers conducted a survey from 2015 to 2016 of 2,000 randomly selected members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. A total of 348 physicians responded. They compared survey responses to a survey conducted in 2011 with 492 respondents and in 2006 with 592 respondents.
Here are four findings:
1. Per the 2016 survey, 72.1 percent respondents reported having implemented an EHR, up from 19 percent in 2006.
2. In 2006, only 15 percent of physicians responded that productivity decreased as a result of EHR adoption, however, more than 50 percent said the same in 2016.
3. Around 13 percent of respondents in 2006 said EHR adoption increased practice costs. That number increased to 75 percent in the most recent survey.
4. Only one-third of physicians surveyed said they would return to paper records if they could, and more than 50 percent said they would not, said lead author Michele C. Lim, MD, vice chair and medical director of the UC Davis Eye Center.
"Our findings highlight the fact that companies that design EHR systems should further address the efficiency and usability of those systems," said Dr. Lim.
More articles on EHRs:
5 biggest interoperability stories in 2017
Northeastern Health System taps Cerner for EHR, RCM system
HHS' Indian Health Service seeks to modernize VistA 'cousin' EHR