Title: Provider perceptions of electronic medical records and e-prescribing and their integration into safety net clinics

Authors: Renee Brent Hotchkiss; Mondi A. Mason; John R. Albright Jr.

Addresses: Health Services Policy and Management, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, P.O. Box 8015, Hendricks Hall, Room 2011, Statesboro, Georgia 30460, USA. ' Partnerships for Healthy Communities, 7296 Magnolia Street, Commerce City, Colorado 80022, USA. ' Nightingale Services, Inc., 9100 White Bluff Road, Suite 301, Savannah, GA 31406, USA

Abstract: This paper reports the findings of a formative study that examined knowledge, readiness, and perceptions of healthcare providers in safety-net clinics about electronic medical records (EMR) and e-prescribing. It was conducted in six safety net clinics in southeast Georgia that serve a disproportionately high number of uninsured and underinsured individuals. Qualitative data was collected during focus groups and intercept interviews. Healthcare providers understood what EMR technology is and had positive perceptions about the technology's utility in the clinic environment. Several key themes emerged such as the importance of increased efficiency and transportability; privacy, security, and access concerns; quality improvement potential; startup costs; and production loss. Implications for administrators who plan to implement EMR within safety net clinics are discussed.

Keywords: electronic medical records; EMRs; e-prescribing; provider perceptions; healthcare providers; safety net clinics; intercept interviews; focus groups; readiness; knowledge; electronic prescribing; online prescribing; USA; United States; efficiency; transportability; privacy; security; access concerns; quality improvement; startup costs; production loss; electronic health records; EHRs; e-health; electronic healthcare; healthcare technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPP.2012.045874

International Journal of Public Policy, 2012 Vol.8 No.1/2/3, pp.79 - 91

Published online: 31 Jul 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article