A survey released by Practice Fusion, a San Francisco-based electronic health record provider, showed that only 16 percent of surveyed physicians referred patients electronically and a larger majority of physicians are far more likely to refer patients over the phone, according to a company news release.
The research included survey responses from 183 primary care providers. Approximately half of the surveyed physicians had more than 30 physicians in their referral network, with 19 percent reporting having over 100 physicians in their referral network.
Other key findings from the survey include the following:
• Approximately 5 percent of primary care visits include a referral to another physician, according to a study in Medical Decision Making. This calculates to an estimated 22 million referrals by PCPs each year.
• The majority of medical practices surveyed reported that they either call the other provider or gives information to patient when making a referral.
• Only 16 percent of respondents said they use an electronic process to send patient records for referrals.
• Providers who use an electronic process to generate referral letters reported significantly more satisfaction with their referral method than those who reported calling other providers.
Read the news release about electronic referrals.
Read other coverage about health information technology:
- Health IT Advisory Makes Proposal on User Authentication in Simple Exchange of Patient Information
- HIMSS: 22% of Hospitals Can Meet at Least 10 of 14 Core Measurements of Stage 1 Meaningful Use
- National Coordinator David Blumenthal Assures Specialists Can Meet Meaningful Use Requirements
The research included survey responses from 183 primary care providers. Approximately half of the surveyed physicians had more than 30 physicians in their referral network, with 19 percent reporting having over 100 physicians in their referral network.
Other key findings from the survey include the following:
• Approximately 5 percent of primary care visits include a referral to another physician, according to a study in Medical Decision Making. This calculates to an estimated 22 million referrals by PCPs each year.
• The majority of medical practices surveyed reported that they either call the other provider or gives information to patient when making a referral.
• Only 16 percent of respondents said they use an electronic process to send patient records for referrals.
• Providers who use an electronic process to generate referral letters reported significantly more satisfaction with their referral method than those who reported calling other providers.
Read the news release about electronic referrals.
Read other coverage about health information technology:
- Health IT Advisory Makes Proposal on User Authentication in Simple Exchange of Patient Information
- HIMSS: 22% of Hospitals Can Meet at Least 10 of 14 Core Measurements of Stage 1 Meaningful Use
- National Coordinator David Blumenthal Assures Specialists Can Meet Meaningful Use Requirements