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August 31, 2024 – In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, only one in four family physicians reported being very satisfied with their electronic health record (EHR) systems. The study, led by Dr. A. Jay Holmgren from the University of California, San Francisco, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare professionals in adapting to EHR technology.
The study analyzed survey responses from 2,067 family physicians who sought recertification with the American Board of Family Medicine in 2022. The findings are a stark reminder of the mixed reception EHR systems continue to receive within the medical community. According to the survey, just 27.2% of respondents were very satisfied with their EHR, while 37.5% reported being somewhat satisfied. A significant portion, 16.7%, indicated they were somewhat dissatisfied, and 9.6% were very dissatisfied with their EHR experience.
The usability of different EHR features was a key focus of the study. The highest usability score was given to the readability of information, with 26.3% of physicians rating it as excellent. However, the usefulness of alerts, a critical feature in clinical decision-making, received the lowest usability rating, with only 12.7% of respondents rating it as excellent.
The study found that certain aspects of EHR usability, such as ease of finding information and alignment with workflow processes, were strongly associated with physician satisfaction. Specifically, good or excellent usability in these areas was linked to higher satisfaction levels (β = 0.14 for ease of finding information and β = 0.11 for alignment with workflow processes). Furthermore, high satisfaction with EHR systems was correlated with a reduced frequency of burnout among physicians (β = −0.64).
The authors of the study expressed concern over the dissatisfaction reported by a significant minority of respondents, noting that dissatisfaction with EHR systems could contribute to physician burnout, a growing problem in the healthcare industry. “One-fourth reported being somewhat or very dissatisfied, a concerning finding amplified by the inverse association between EHR satisfaction and burnout,” the researchers wrote.
This study underscores the need for ongoing improvements in EHR systems to better meet the needs of healthcare providers. As EHR technology continues to evolve, enhancing its usability and aligning it more closely with clinical workflows could be crucial steps in improving physician satisfaction and reducing burnout.
More Information: Holmgren, A. J., et al. (2024). “Electronic Health Record Usability, Satisfaction, and Burnout for Family Physicians.” JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.26956.
