Current state of information technology use in a US primary care practice-based research network

Abstract

Objectives To examine the current levels of information technology (IT) use in a primary care practicebased research network (PBRN) in order to inform future development of its infrastructure. Participants Every primary care practitioner who is a member of the Kentucky Ambulatory Network (KAN), as well as the office managers of each practice. Practitioners included family practitioners, general practitioners, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Methods A cross-sectional study using two survey instruments: one for office managers and one for practitioners. The office manager survey included questions related to the current state of IT within the practice, plans for enhancement and general IT issues from the perspective of managing a practice. The practitioner survey was designed to measure current IT use and attitudes of primary care practitioners. Results Response rates for the surveys were 46% (n=68) for the office managers and 51% (n=116) for practitioners. All but one practice had internet access; however, 43% had only dial-up service. Only 21% of practitioners use an electronic medical record (EMR), with dollar cost being the barrier reported most frequently (58%). More than half of the office managers were either 'somewhat interested' (45%) or 'very interested' (17%) in a low-cost, standardised EMR that was, at the time, to be sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians. For practitioners, 71% were either 'somewhat' or 'very' interested in such a system. Responses to other IT issues are reported. Conclusion While interest in enabling information technologies was high in KAN, adoption was variable, with use of several key technologies reported as low. The results suggest that research in this network that would be dependent on or enhanced by IT might be impeded and, generally, greater attention should be given to enhancing the IT infrastructure in primary care.

Examining the adoption of electronic health records and personal digital assistants by family physicians in Florida

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Acting as important benchmarks, these studies offered the first glimpses into the adoption of EHR and PDAs in specific settings or by specific groups of physicians. The majority of studies examining PDA use by primary care physicians, for instance, focused on the academic setting.…”

“…Similarly, EHR use has been studied in populations of academic or researchoriented primary care physicians. [10][11][12][13][14] Separate research has also been presented on primary care physicians' EHR use in the urban setting 3 as well as in the rural primary care setting. 12 Moreover, case studies and analysis of post-EHR implementations are common, [15][16][17][18][19] as are studies of primary care physicians' use of specific EHR functions or applications.…”

“…[10][11][12][13][14] Separate research has also been presented on primary care physicians' EHR use in the urban setting 3 as well as in the rural primary care setting. 12 Moreover, case studies and analysis of post-EHR implementations are common, [15][16][17][18][19] as are studies of primary care physicians' use of specific EHR functions or applications. [20][21][22] Each of these efforts has contributed to the overall understanding of primary care physicians' adoption of these important technologies; however, each existing study tended to focus on only one specific type of family physician.…”

Improving information management in primary care: the proof is in the pudding

“…At baseline, 67% of the practices had highspeed connections and 54% had limited computer resources, numbers in line with other descriptions of primary care information technology infrastructure. 27 No differences in resources were found between the groups: high speed Internet connections ( 2 = 0.540, P = 0.46) and computer resources ( 2 = 0.691, P = 0.43).…”

Achieving Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in Primary Care: Proposed Critical Processes from the Kentucky Ambulatory Network (KAN)

“…Although it has been estimated that 78% of office-based physicians have some type of EHR system, 16 few have the capability to meet MU criteria. [15][16][17] Andrews and colleagues 18 found that PBRN physician interest in electronic EHR systems was high, yet barriers, including cost, prevented practices from adopting key technologies.…”