Phoenix Newsletter - October 2025 President’s Message: Enduring Commitments in a Time of Change Read President’s Message: Enduring Commitments in a Time of Change
Home Research Research Library The rise of electronic health record adoption among family physicians The rise of electronic health record adoption among family physicians 2013 Author(s) Xierali, Imam M, Hsiao, C J, Puffer, James C, Green, Larry A, Rinaldo, Jason C, Bazemore, Andrew W, Burke, Bridget Teevan, and Phillips, Robert L Topic(s) Role of Primary Care Keyword(s) Health Information Technology (HIT) Volume Annals of Family Medicine Source Annals of Family Medicine PURPOSE Realizing the benefits of adopting electronic health records (EHRs) in large measure depends heavily on clinicians and providers’ uptake and meaningful use of the technology. This study examines EHR adoption among family physicians using 2 different data sources, compares family physicians with other office-based medical specialists, assesses variation in EHR adoption among family physicians across states, and shows the possibility for data sharing among various medical boards and federal agencies in monitoring and guiding EHR adoption. METHOD We undertook a secondary analysis of American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) administrative data (2005-2011) and data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) (2001-2011). RESULTS The EHR adoption rate by family physicians reached 68% nationally in 2011. NAMCS family physician adoption rates and ABFM adoption rates (2005-2011) were similar. Family physicians are adopting EHRs at a higher rate than other office-based physicians as a group; however, significant state-level variation exists, indicating geographical gaps in EHR adoption. CONCLUSION Two independent data sets yielded convergent results, showing that adoption of EHRs by family physicians has doubled since 2005, exceeds other office-based physicians as a group, and is likely to surpass 80% by 2013. Adoption varies at a state level. Further monitoring of trends in EHR adoption and characterizing their capacities are important to achieve comprehensive data exchange necessary for better, affordable health care. ABFM Research Read all 2015 Solo practitioners remain important contributors to primary care Go to Solo practitioners remain important contributors to primary care 2015 Family medicine graduate proximity to their site of training: policy options for improving the distribution of primary care access Go to Family medicine graduate proximity to their site of training: policy options for improving the distribution of primary care access 2014 Mental Health Treatment in the Primary Care Setting: Patterns and Pathways Go to Mental Health Treatment in the Primary Care Setting: Patterns and Pathways 2014 Spending patterns in region of residency training and subsequent expenditures for care provided by practicing physicians for Medicare beneficiaries Go to Spending patterns in region of residency training and subsequent expenditures for care provided by practicing physicians for Medicare beneficiaries
Author(s) Xierali, Imam M, Hsiao, C J, Puffer, James C, Green, Larry A, Rinaldo, Jason C, Bazemore, Andrew W, Burke, Bridget Teevan, and Phillips, Robert L Topic(s) Role of Primary Care Keyword(s) Health Information Technology (HIT) Volume Annals of Family Medicine Source Annals of Family Medicine
ABFM Research Read all 2015 Solo practitioners remain important contributors to primary care Go to Solo practitioners remain important contributors to primary care 2015 Family medicine graduate proximity to their site of training: policy options for improving the distribution of primary care access Go to Family medicine graduate proximity to their site of training: policy options for improving the distribution of primary care access 2014 Mental Health Treatment in the Primary Care Setting: Patterns and Pathways Go to Mental Health Treatment in the Primary Care Setting: Patterns and Pathways 2014 Spending patterns in region of residency training and subsequent expenditures for care provided by practicing physicians for Medicare beneficiaries Go to Spending patterns in region of residency training and subsequent expenditures for care provided by practicing physicians for Medicare beneficiaries
2015 Solo practitioners remain important contributors to primary care Go to Solo practitioners remain important contributors to primary care
2015 Family medicine graduate proximity to their site of training: policy options for improving the distribution of primary care access Go to Family medicine graduate proximity to their site of training: policy options for improving the distribution of primary care access
2014 Mental Health Treatment in the Primary Care Setting: Patterns and Pathways Go to Mental Health Treatment in the Primary Care Setting: Patterns and Pathways
2014 Spending patterns in region of residency training and subsequent expenditures for care provided by practicing physicians for Medicare beneficiaries Go to Spending patterns in region of residency training and subsequent expenditures for care provided by practicing physicians for Medicare beneficiaries
