Electronic Health Reporter

As more physicians and medical practices work toward meaningful use of an EHR, getting the technology seamlessly integrated into daily work flow continues to be a main concern.

For the second straight year, EHR adoption and implementation issues were ranked as the most pressing information technology problem by respondents of the Physicians Practice 2014 Technology Survey, sponsored by Kareo. Seventeen percent of the 1,442 respondents to this year’s survey said getting an EHR onboard and fully operational at their practice was their top concern, followed closely by lack of interoperability between EHRs (16%) and costs to implement and use new technology (13%). It does seem, however, due to meaningful use incentive payments or other factors, that cost is becoming less of a concern, having dropped 4 percentage points from the 2013 survey.

For more than a decade, Physicians Practice, the leading online community for physicians and practice management professionals, has asked physicians and other medical practice staff about their technology use and issues about implementing tech tools to aid patient care.

This year’s technology survey includes data on various issues surrounding EHR implementation, including length of time to get up and running, impact on work flow, and whether or not practices would recommend their vendor to peers. PhysiciansPractice.com also offers in-depth reporting on some of the other survey questions, including:

• Use of scribes in medical practices to assist with EHRs;
• Troubling findings regarding medical practice efforts to secure protected health information;
• Use of mobile devices by physicians — which devices physicians are choosing and why they are being used; and
• The five main reasons physicians give for avoiding social media to build their practices.

“Technology has been a part of advancing medical practices for years, but with the incentives tied to EHRs, the rise in telemedicine, and the growing trend of medical apps and fitness tracking devices, physicians are more aware than ever about how tech can help patient care,” said Keith L. Martin, group editorial director for Physicians Practice. “Our survey provides firsthand knowledge on what tech devices physicians believe in, how they are using them, and what they have their eyes on for the future.”

About UBM Medica US

Addressing today’s healthcare information needs, UBM Medica US, delivers strategic, integrated communications solutions and comprehensive reach — online, in print, via custom programs and live events. Improving the effectiveness of healthcare through information and education, UBM Medica US provides unbiased clinical, practical, and business information for physicians, providers and payers resulting in improved quality of care for patients around the world. Through journals, magazines, online communities, live and digital events, and other valuable resources, UBM Medica US also delivers comprehensive communication solutions for the pharmaceutical and related industries. Online communities include CancerNetwork.com, ConsultantLive.com, DiagnosticImaging.com, RheumatologyNetwork.com, OBGYN.net, PhysiciansPractice.com, PsychiatricTimes.com and SearchMedica.com. UBM Medica US is part of UBM Connect which, through a range of aligned interactive environments, both physical and digital – increases business effectiveness for both customers and audiences through meaningful experiences, knowledge and connections. Headquartered in New York, UBM Connect brings together UBM’s healthcare business, UBM Medica US; UBM Canon’s advanced design and manufacturing event, online and print brands; UBM Connect New York’s catering, cruise shipping, customer management, and fine, specialty and custom chemical communities; and UBM Mexico’s concrete show. For more information, visit www.UBMMedicaUS.com.

About UBM plc

UBM plc is a global events-led marketing services and communications company. We help businesses do business, bringing the world’s buyers and sellers together at events and online, as well as producing and distributing news and specialist content. Our 5,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into expert teams which serve commercial and professional communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

For more information, go to www.ubm.com; follow us on Twitter at @UBM_plc to get the latest UBM corporate news.