Feds to Survey Patients About EHRs

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology will survey nearly 1,700 patients to access their perceptions of the delivery of care through electronic health records.


The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology will survey nearly 1,700 patients to access their perceptions of the delivery of care through electronic health records.

ONC will recruit 84 primary care practices to participate in the survey, according to a notice published Feb. 2 in the Federal Register. "Health I.T. experts agree that HITECH stimulus funds are likely to improve how physicians practice medicine for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and, ultimately, for advancing patient-centered medical care for all Americans," according to the notice. "However, there is an evidence gap about patients' preferences and perceptions of delivery of health care services by providers who have adopted EHR systems in their practices."

The study will help policymakers understand how EHR use effects consumers' satisfaction with their medical care, communication with physicians and coordination of care. "The research questions for the proposed Patient Perceptions of EHR Study are motivated by a concern that patients may have negative experiences as practices begin to use EHRs," according to the notice.

The notice is available at gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.

--Joseph Goedert