Doctors growing more dissatisfied with EHR - curiousMT

^{Recently, according to WebChart, MD, the satisfaction of physicians with their EMRs is diminishing both rapidly and significantly.}

^{According to WebChart MD:}

^{A growing number of physicians report that the costs of EHRs outweigh the financial benefits, according to a recently released study from Athena Health.  The survey of 1,200 physicians showed that the percentage of physicians who perceive that the costs of EHRs outweigh the financial benefits rose from 47% in 2012 to 51% in 2013.  In addition, the study reported that fewer physicians feel that patient care benefits outweigh cost, down to 55% in 2013 from 60% in 2012.}

^{This trend correlates with other studies released in 2013 that also point to growing dissatisfaction among physicians regarding EHRs and EHR-based clinical documentation workflow.  Other recent studies include:}

^{Increased dissatisfaction and decreased productivity.}  

^{A March 2013 survey conducted by the American College of Physicians and American EHR Partners found that physicians who were very satisfied with their EHR dropped by 6% while those reporting to be “very dissatisfied” increased by 10%.  A total of 34% of physicians now report being “very dissatisfied” with the EHRs, up from 19% in 2010.  Other key points include:}

^{* The ACP’s summary noted that “survey responses also indicated that it is becoming more difficult to return to pre-EHR implementation productivity. In 2012, 32% of the responders had not returned to normal productivity compared with 20% in 2010.”}

^{* Alan Brookstone, MD, co-founder of American EHR Partners, said that “basic functions, such as documentation, continue to be an issue for many physicians.”}

^{EHRs can negatively alter the patient-doctor experience.}  

^{MedScape’s ”EHR Report 2012″ survey of over 21,000 physicians found that 30% of respondents reported EHRs had a negative impact on the doctor-patient relationship. Of those, 80% said it was due to less eye contact with patients and 75% said there was less conversational time. One physician cited said, ”I feel like I’m treating the computer and not the patient.  There’s more focus on documentation than on the patient during the patient visit.”}