Electronic medical record use among US occupational medicine physicians: a national survey.

Abstract

To examine the use of electronic medical records (EMRs) among US occupational medicine physicians (OMPs). An electronic- and paper-based survey was conducted among OMPs using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. The OMPs reported using an EMR for billing purposes only (14.6%), clinical purposes only (27.8%), or both (39.3%) with the total EMR use of 81.7%. About 60% were satisfied with their EMRs, and 64% to 66% believed that EMRs improve safety and quality of medical care. Among OMPs not using EMR, 17% reported that they were likely to adopt an EMR in the year after the survey, whereas 47% were very unlikely to do so. Occupational physicians' use of EMRs was relatively high. They also seemed to be satisfied with their EMRs and believed that EMRs improve both safety and quality of clinical care.