GOVERNMENTGovernment pushes for electronic medical record standardsLegislation would help fund system purchases and ensure that users could share data.By Markian Hawryluk, amednews staff. Feb. 9, 2004. Washington -- Momentum is building for federal legislation to promote universal adoption of electronic medical records by developing standards for the software and incentives for its use. But many physicians remain concerned that they might get steamrolled in the process. Many experts are advocating electronic records as a way to cut medical errors, provide doctors with up-to-date patient histories, and put best practices and clinical guidelines at their fingertips. Entering data into electronic records could facilitate quality measurement and improvement, cut paperwork, and streamline health transactions. Proponents envision a system under which a patient's medical records could easily be shared electronically among doctors and other health care professionals caring for the patient. Yet recent surveys have found that only 17% of primary care physicians and fewer than 5% of all physicians have electronic record systems. A study soon to be released by the Commonwealth Fund found that adoption of and receptivity to health information technology among solo practices and small groups lags significantly behind large group practices. Physician groups have supported the concept of moving toward electronic records with data exchange capabilities but want to avoid an unfunded mandate. "Although physicians see great promise in this technology, the costs are prohibitively high, and they're not confident that, if they spend the money, they won't be buying the Betamax version of electronic technology," said Bob Doherty, senior vice president of government affairs for the American College of Physicians. [...]Full text of American Medical News content is available to AMA members and paid subscribers.
Copyright 2004 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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