Report shows physicians view e-prescribing features as cumbersome

Research Activities, July 2011, No. 371

E-prescribing systems can provide physicians access to important patient information, such as drugs prescribed by physicians in other practices and formulary information that can help reduce insured patients' drug costs. But many physicians are reluctant to use these features, because they are viewed as cumbersome and unreliable, according to a new report funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The report, prepared by researchers at the Center for Studying Health System Change, is a qualitative study of 24 physician practices using e-prescribing systems. The study highlighted two barriers to use:

• Tools to view and use the patient health information are cumbersome to use in some systems.
• Data are not always seen as useful enough to expend the extra effort to use them.

To access the study, go to http://www.hschange.org/CONTENT/1202.

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