How physicians feel about interoperability: 6 key survey findings

Staff - Wednesday, April 15th, 2015

Discussions regarding interoperability are trending in healthcare right now, though much of the debate encircles vendor-related issues.

So how do physicians feel about the current state of interoperability?

Here are 6 key findings from Epocrates' Interoperation Research Study that interviewed approximately 2,900 physicians nationwide.

Physicians largely agree (79 percent) that it is very important to improve the ability of EHRs to access relevant patient data from other EHRs as well as improve the security and privacy of patient data.
Ninety-six percent of physicians said improving the ability of EHRs to access relevant patient data from other EHRs will improve patient care.
Just 14 percent of physicians would grade the country's state of interoperability at a B or higher, while 60 percent would give a failing grade.
Fifty-five percent of respondents said costs associated with sharing information are a major barrier to interoperability.
Physicians indicate the transition from the emergency department to a primary care or specialist office is a weak point of interoperation (59 percent).
Medication lists are the most commonly incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable (77 percent), followed by lab/imaging tests (64 percent), problem lists (60 percent), specialists/consultant notes (60 percent), discharge summaries (53 percent) and patient history (51 percent).