Ambulatory Docs Unhappy With Their EHRs

Loss in productivity cited as a major cause of dissatisfaction

Physicians may be adopting electronic health records in record numbers, but more than half are still dissatisfied with them, according to a new study from IDC Health Insights.

The study of 212 ambulatory and hospital-based physicians conducted in September, found that 58 percent of respondents were dissatisfied, very dissatisfied or neutral about their EHRs. A whopping 85 percent stated they were unhappy because of the of the loss in productivity the systems caused, since they now saw fewer patients and spent more time on documentation.

"[T] the inability to restore productivity with EHR has clearly affected the business outlook for many providers," Judy Hanover, research director for IDC Insights, said in a blog post about the study.