Survey: EHRs' 4 Positive, Negative Impacts on Patient Encounters

The majority of physicians — 83 percent — report they are using electronic health records, according to a recent Medscape survey.

While EHR utilization grows, physicians and healthcare providers are realizing the effects, both positive and negative, that EHRs may have on their patient encounters.

Here are the four most-reported positive effects EHRs have on patient encounters.

1. Improves physician ability to respond to patient issues: 35 percent
2. Allows physician to more effectively manage patient treatment plans: 33 percent
3. Allows physician to spend more time face-to-face with patients: 10 percent
4. Allows physician to see more patients: 9 percent

Here are the four most-reported negative effects EHRs have on patient encounters.

1. Decreases physician face-to-face time with patients: 70 percent
2. Decreases physician ability to see more patients: 57 percent
3. Decreases physician ability to respond to patient issues: 27 percent
4. Decreases physician ability to effectively manage patient treatment plans: 26 percent

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