Simon, Steven R.Kaushal, RainuCleary, PaulJenter, Chelsea A.Volk, Lynn A.Orav, EndelBurdick, ElisabethPoon, Eric G.Bates, David2021-08-302007-03-12Simon, Steven R., Rainu Kaushal, Paul D. Cleary, Chelsea A. Jenter, Lynn A. Volk, E. John Orav, Elisabeth Burdick, Eric G. Poon, and David W. Bates. “Physicians and Electronic Health Records: A Statewide Survey.” Archives of Internal Medicine 167, no. 5 (March 12, 2007): 507-12. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.167.5.507.0003-9926https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37369180Background: Electronic health records (EHRs) allow for a variety of functions, ranging from visit documen- tation to laboratory test ordering, but little is known about physicians’ actual use of these functions. Methods: We surveyed a random sample of 1884 phy- sicians in Massachusetts by mail and assessed availabil- ity and use of EHR functions, predictors of use, and the relationships between EHR use and physicians’ percep- tions of medical practice. Results: A total of 1345 physicians responded to the sur- vey (71.4% response rate), and 387 (28.8%) reported that their practice had adopted EHRs. More than 80% of phy- sicians with EHRs reported having the ability to view labo- ratory reports (84.8%) and document visits electroni- cally (84.0%), but considerably fewer reported being able to order laboratory tests electronically (46.8%) or trans- mit prescriptions to a pharmacy electronically (44.7%). Fewer than half of the physicians who had systems with clinical decision support, transmittal of electronic pre- scriptions, and radiology order entry actually used these functions most or all of the time. Compared with phy- sicians who had not adopted EHRs, EHR users reported more positive views of the effects of computers on health care; there were no significant differences in these atti- tudes between high and low users of EHRs. Overall, about 1 in 4 physicians reported dissatisfaction with medical practice; there was no difference in this measure by EHR adoption or use. Conclusions: There is considerable variability in the func- tions available in EHRs and in the extent to which phy- sicians use them. Future work should emphasize fac- tors that affect the use of available functions.en-USResearch Subject Categories::MEDICINE::Dermatology and venerology,clinical genetics, internal medicine::Internal medicineJournal Article2021-08-3010.1001/archinte.167.5.507