More than a third of medical practices are electronically connected

Larger groups are more likely to spend money on technology.

By Tyler Chin, amednews staff. Jan. 14, 2002.

About 35% of physician practices are electronically connected to and exchanging information with hospitals, insurers and other trading partners, according to an AMA study.

Those practices are primarily exchanging patient demographic information, laboratory reports and health insurance claims with their trading partners, according to "Technology Usage in Physician Practice Management." The 115-page study marks the Association's first comprehensive examination of how practices are using different technologies in the office and with their trading partners for practice management functions.

The AMA, which surveyed 981 practice administrators or managers at practices of one or two physicians, three to 10 physicians, and 11 or more physicians, found that nearly every office used computers. About 85% of the practices said their computers are networked, and more than one-third said their computers are linked to hospitals, billing services, insurance companies or laboratories.

The larger the practice, the more it planned to spend on hardware, software or network services, though the sums involved are relatively modest. For example, not a single group of one or two physicians reported plans to spend more than $10,000 in 2001, compared with 7% for groups of three to 10 physicians, and 38% for groups with 11 or more physicians. [...]

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