Do electronic health record components improve the quality of health care in a primary care setting
Year: 2010
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Thesis (M.P.P.)--Georgetown University, 2010.; Includes bibliographical references.; Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. Background: Electronic Health Record (EHR) adoption by health care providers has been promoted as a vital component to improved health care quality and has been made a national priority by federal programs. I examined the association between EHR components and the quality of health care. Methods: Using data from the 2007 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, I conducted a cross-sectional analysis of patient visits with a primary care physician and examined the association between EHR use and components and: 1) the number of physician minutes spent with the patient; 2) whether diagnostic or screening tests were ordered or provided; and 3) whether health education was ordered or provided. I used multivariate models accounting for fixed effects and controlling for patient socio-demographic, health, physician practice, and geographic factors. Results: I found no association between EHR use or components and any of the health quality measures investigated. Conclusions: As implemented, EHRs were not associated with better quality health care in a primary care setting. Future research focusing on how the EHR system is used will improve our understanding of the impact of EHRs on the quality of care.
Author: A. Glenn
Language: English
Subfield: Health Information Management
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2195801055