Pediatricians' use of health information technology: a national survey

There are limited national data on pediatric health information technology adoption rates. Our objective was to determine pediatricians' adoption rates of electronic health record systems (EHRs), barriers to adoption, and features of the systems adopted.

A survey of 1620 randomly selected US members of the American Academy of Pediatrics from February to July 2009 addressed use of EHRs and barriers to adoption. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to determine associations between EHR use and various physician and practice characteristics.

Six hundred forty-six postresidency pediatric clinicians practicing in office- or clinic-based settings responded (57.2%). Self-reported electronic medical record/EHR use was 54%/41%, but far fewer used systems that met the definition of a basic (25%) or fully functional (6%) EHR. Only 3% used a system that was fully functional and pediatric-supportive. Pediatricians practicing in multispecialty practices and those in hospital-based practices were more likely to use basic or fully functional EHRs than those in solo/2-physician practices. More than half of respondents reported financial barriers to implementing EHRs, and more than one-third were concerned about whether systems could meet their needs and whether an EHR would affect productivity.

Pediatric adoption of fully functional EHRs lags general adoption. Barriers to adoption include financial and productivity concerns, but pediatricians are also concerned about finding systems that meet their needs. Few pediatricians use a system that is pediatric-supportive. To help identify pediatric-supportive systems, EHR certification efforts should include these requirements.