Meaningful Use of the Indian Health Service Electronic Health Record

Objective

To understand the use of electronic health record () 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 functionalities, perceived usefulness, and barriers to adoption.

Principal Findings

Physicians routinely used a median 7 of 10 functionalities targeted by the Meaningful Use program, but only 5 percent used all 10. Most (63 percent) felt the 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 were positively associated with use of functionalities, while perceived productivity loss was negatively associated.

Conclusions

Significant opportunities exist to increase use of functionalities and preserve physician–patient interactions and productivity in a resource‐limited environment.