Technology is increasingly becoming a commonplace tool in physician offices, and the average amount practices are spending on technology is indicative of this growth.
According to a Medical Group Management Association survey, physician-owned, multispecialty practices spent 11.87 percent more on operating costs associated with technology in 2014 than they did in 2013. This equates to an average increase of $20,693 per full-time physician.
When looking at the rise in costs from 2010, spend has increased by 33.92 percent, according to the survey.
"As technology continues to evolve, medical practices must likewise also evolve," said Halee Fischer-Wright, MD, president and CEO of MGMA, according to Health IT Outcomes. "The way patients ask for and receive care is changing. The increased use of technology can improve the quality of patient care by improving records management, optimizing workflow and meeting HIPAA compliancy requirements."
The survey is based on 2014 data and collected responses from more than 3,000 medical groups.
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