Patients Using EMRs More Loyal, Satisfied With Health Care Provider
As the 2015 government deadline for physicians to adopt certified EMR systems approaches, nearly 75 percent of consumers indicate that they are already using (23%) or interested in using (52%) electronic medical records. Those patients who have used EMRs are significantly more satisfied with their doctors overall (78% versus 68%). They also express higher satisfaction across multiple specific dimensions of care, such as ease of access to information and clarity and thoroughness of communication, according to the EMR Patient Impact Study. Furthermore, while those who do use EMRs feel a stronger loyalty to their doctors, they also believe they receive better quality of care (82%). EMR users believe they engage in clearer and more responsive communications with their physicians, and can gain access to information easier than non EMR users.
This study comes at a time when, thanks in part to monetary incentives from the federal government, many health systems have already made the leap to EMR systems. EMR use by physicians has risen from nearly 26 percent in 2010 to more than 38 percent in 2012. The increase among hospitals has been even more dramatic – from 15 percent in 2010 to 44 percent in 2012.i
Despite these incentives, many providers hesitate to embrace EMRs due to additional expenses related to implementing the technology. Results from the EMR Patient Impact Study offer support to move ahead, revealing a link between patients' use of EMRs and their perceptions of loyalty and satisfaction toward their physician – a connection undocumented until now.
"The study findings clearly indicate a strong link between EMR users and their confidence in the quality of healthcare they receive," says
Additionally, the EMR Patient Impact Study has identified four segments of EMR users, ranging from the disinterested, non-user, to the regular user.
Stages of EMR adoption
- Stage 1 – Disinterested Non-Users (18%) believe EMRs are no more accurate than paper files; say they don't need their medical information outside of their doctors' offices.
- Stage 2 – Interested Non-Users (52%) tend to be less satisfied with their physician than any other type of user; most influenced by physicians encouragement of using EMRs.
- Stage 3 – Trial Users (9%) have the highest share of women and non-white consumers than any other group; one-third have just recently started using EMRs within the last six months.
- Stage 4 – Regular Users (13%) prefer emailing their doctor instead of calling or meeting in-person; one in three are caregivers to an adult family member; 67 percent say online access would be very influential in their choice of a new doctor.
"The study provides healthcare providers with valuable insight into not only who is using EMR but why they are adopting the technology," says
Caregivers accessing EMRs
Primary caregivers to adult family members are among those who regularly use EMRs. The EMR Patient Impact Study reveals that one in three caregivers (33%) have used an EMR, either on the web or via a mobile device, compared to 21 percent of non-caregivers. Caregivers are using EMRs to provide assistance with medical appointments, or making medical decisions for their loved one.
Other Study Highlights
- Consumers who prefer their doctor to use an electronic chart cited numerous reasons including: access to medical records (40%); accuracy/better record keeping (18%); and coordination of care and information sharing (e.g. in case of emergency) (17%).
- EMR utilization is higher among consumers who are younger, live in the Western part of
the United States , have higher levels of education, and provide care to an adult family member. An estimated 34 percent of residents of Western states report having tried an EMR. - Consumers do not believe that paper charts are more secure than EMRs (28% agree). However, nearly 40 percent (39%) believe that electronic medical records are more accurate than paper charts.
For a full copy of the report, visit www.EMRPatientImpact.com.
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Source: | PR Newswire Association LLC |
Wordcount: | 1003 |
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