The relationship between usage intention and adoption of electronic health records at primary care clinics

Abstract

Objective: Despite of emerging evidence that electronic health records (EHRs) can improve the clinical quality, enhances patient safety and efficiency. Most physicians in primary health care clinics in the Taiwan do not currently adopt EHR at their clinic practices. We aim to measure the relationship between usage intention and adoption behavior.

Study design and methods: We used structured questionnaires distributed both EHRs adopter and non-adopter group to the primary health care physicians which participated in the DOH project to establish the information exchange environment across Taiwan. The response rate of adopter and non-adopter is 54.7% and 55.0% respectively.

Measurements: EHRs adoption behavior.

Results: The EHRs adopter group has higher intention than non-adopter (p=0.003). From the result of logistic regression analyses, we found the key factors affecting physicians' adoption pattern were intention to use (OR: 2.85; 95% CI: 2.30-3.54). In addition, higher perceived usefulness (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.06-1.56) and perceived ease to use (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.22-1.79) increase adoption of EHR found.

Conclusion: The intention to use EHR, perceived usefulness and ease to use of primary care physicians were found as key factors influencing EHRs adoption. Thus, we suggest that government should promote the potential benefits of EHR and enhance physicians' willingness to adopt the EHRs at their clinic practices.

Keywords: EHR adoption; EHR adoption behavior; Electronic health records; Health IT; Meaningful use.