Three out of four offices do not have EHRs

Health Management Technology, March, 2005

Physician practices have a long way to go in adopting electronic health records (EHRs), according to two recent surveys by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).

Preliminary data from 1,061 respondents in mid-January to an e-mail survey of MGMA members revealed only 20 percent of members have an EHR. More than two-thirds, or 69 percent, are still using paper. More detailed data is due in March from a random sample of 16,000 groups that were mailed paper surveys. That sample will include 5,000 nonmember practices, and the data will be merged with the electronic survey results.

MGMA's first-ever cost survey for pediatric practices, mailed last year in April to 1,174 MGMA members and nonmembers, was slightly more positive, although the response was not as high. When asked if their practices use an electronic medical record, 84 percent of the 113 that responded said, "No." Sixteen percent said, "Yes."

MGMA is encouraged overall with the results, seeing a big improvement from a couple of years ago, when the number of physician practices using EHRs was around 9 percent.

The 12-page survey was created in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics. To purchase the "Cost Survey for Pediatric Practices: 2004 Report Based on 2003 Data," call 303-799-1111.