Meaningful Use of the Indian Health Service Electronic Health Record.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the use of electronic health record (EHR) functionalities by physicians practicing in an underserved setting. DATA SOURCE/STUDY
SETTING: A total of 333 Indian Health Service physicians (55 percent response rate) in August 2012. STUDY
DESIGN: Cross-sectional. DATA COLLECTION: The survey assessed routine use of EHR functionalities, perceived usefulness, and barriers to adoption. PRINCIPAL
FINDINGS: Physicians routinely used a median 7 of 10 EHR functionalities targeted by the Meaningful Use program, but only 5 percent used all 10. Most (63 percent) felt the EHR improved quality of care. Many (76 percent) reported increased documentation time and poorer quality patient-physician interactions (45 percent). Primary care specialty and time using the EHR were positively associated with use of EHR functionalities, while perceived productivity loss was negatively associated.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant opportunities exist to increase use of EHR functionalities and preserve physician-patient interactions and productivity in a resource-limited environment. © Health Research and Educational Trust.