The push to implement EHRs also led to an increase in the number of computer and match science positions in hospitals, according to a new analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.
From 2010 to 2014, there was a 17.9 percent increase in these positions. Overall hospital employment for that time frame was 1.7 percent.
MedPAC suggests the rise in computer and math science workers is directly related to the digitization of healthcare. "Growth in computer and math science positions may reflect hospitals' efforts to implement electronic health records systems," according to the analysis.
This group of employees saw the second highest growth rate, following physicians and surgeons directly employed by hospitals, which grew by 25.5 percent.
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