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Comparative Study
. 2013 Jan-Feb;11(1):14-9.
doi: 10.1370/afm.1461.

The rise of electronic health record adoption among family physicians

Imam M Xierali  1 , Chun-Ju Hsiao, James C Puffer, Larry A Green, Jason C B Rinaldo, Andrew W Bazemore, Mathew T Burke, Robert L Phillips Jr
Affiliations
Comparative Study

The rise of electronic health record adoption among family physicians

Imam M Xierali et al. Ann Fam Med. 2013 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: Realizing the benefits of adopting electronic health records (EHRs) in large measure depends heavily on clinicians and providers' uptake and meaningful use of the technology. This study examines EHR adoption among family physicians using 2 different data sources, compares family physicians with other office-based medical specialists, assesses variation in EHR adoption among family physicians across states, and shows the possibility for data sharing among various medical boards and federal agencies in monitoring and guiding EHR adoption.

Method: We undertook a secondary analysis of American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) administrative data (2005-2011) and data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) (2001-2011).

Results: The EHR adoption rate by family physicians reached 68% nationally in 2011. NAMCS family physician adoption rates and ABFM adoption rates (2005-2011) were similar. Family physicians are adopting EHRs at a higher rate than other office-based physicians as a group; however, significant state-level variation exists, indicating geographical gaps in EHR adoption.

Conclusion: Two independent data sets yielded convergent results, showing that adoption of EHRs by family physicians has doubled since 2005, exceeds other office-based physicians as a group, and is likely to surpass 80% by 2013. Adoption varies at a state level. Further monitoring of trends in EHR adoption and characterizing their capacities are important to achieve comprehensive data exchange necessary for better, affordable health care.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The steady rise of EHR adoption by family physicians and other physician specialties, 2001–2011. ABFM = American Board of Family Medicine; EHR = electronic health record; FP = family physician; NAMCS = National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Data Source: National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey; American Board of Family Medicine Diplomate Database.
Figure 2a
Figure 2a
State variations in EHR adoption among family physicians (ABFM), 2010–2011. ABFM = American Board of Family Medicine; EHR = electronic health record. Note: Number in parentheses in the legend indicates the number of states in each category.
Figure 2b
Figure 2b
State variations in EHR adoption among family physicians (NAMCS-FP), 2010–2011. EHR = electronic health record; FP = family physician; NAMCS = National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Note: Number in parentheses in the legend indicates the number of states in each category.
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