Survey: 58% of docs to roll out e-health records in next two years

A survey released by Accenture and Harris Interactive showed that 58% of physicians in small private practices plan to roll out electronic medical record (EMR) technology over the next two years, spurred by federal regulations that will first offer monetary incentives and then penalties.

The researchers surveyed 1,000 U.S. physicians in December who worked in offices with fewer than 10 practitioners. Nearly 80% of the respondents age 55 or younger said they planned to roll out EMRs in the next two years. The purpose of the survey was to determine physicians' concerns and perceptions of EMRs and gauge motivating factors at a time when federal legislation includes incentives for physicians who implement EMRs and penalties for those who do not adopt EMRs by 2015. Of the physicians surveyed, only 15% said they were already using EMRs. Overall, only 6% of private physician practices have fully functioning EMR systems in place, according to Accenture.