FAMILY PRACTICE PHYSICIANS’ ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF A REPLACEMENT ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD SYSTEM: AN INSTRUMENTAL CASE STUDY
Format Type
Plenary
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
12-1-2021 3:00 PM
End Date
12-1-2021 3:20 PM
Abstract
Transitioning or upgrading electronic medical record (EMR) systems have unique and significant challenges than moving from paper charts to electronic charts. Physicians’ perceptions of EMR systems affect the rate of adoption and use. The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to explore the decision- making process of family practice physicians transitioning to a replacement EMR system at a multi-specialty ambulatory clinic located in a metropolitan area of northeastern Indiana. This study sought to understand how family practice physicians form their decision to accept and use a replacement EMR system, how the family practice physicians overcame the barriers and challenges associated with transitioning EMR systems, and how did family practice physicians feel emotionally during the transition. Semi-structured interviews of 8 family practice physicians explored the decision-making process to accept and use a new EMR system. NVivo for Windows computer software was used to assist with the analysis of semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and artifacts to identify themes. Three themes and 8 subthemes emerged from the data analysis. Key recommendations from the study include highlighting how the new system will improve the quality of care of patients, develop a multidisciplinary quality training program, and be prepared to address with the physicians the emotional impact inherent in transitions. The study findings may be important to health care leaders, policymakers, and health information technology designers and implementers in understanding how family practice physicians decide to accept and use future technology.
Keywords
Instrumental Case Study, Electronic Medical Record (EMR), transitioning, William Bridges' Transition Model, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)
FAMILY PRACTICE PHYSICIANS’ ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF A REPLACEMENT ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD SYSTEM: AN INSTRUMENTAL CASE STUDY
Transitioning or upgrading electronic medical record (EMR) systems have unique and significant challenges than moving from paper charts to electronic charts. Physicians’ perceptions of EMR systems affect the rate of adoption and use. The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to explore the decision- making process of family practice physicians transitioning to a replacement EMR system at a multi-specialty ambulatory clinic located in a metropolitan area of northeastern Indiana. This study sought to understand how family practice physicians form their decision to accept and use a replacement EMR system, how the family practice physicians overcame the barriers and challenges associated with transitioning EMR systems, and how did family practice physicians feel emotionally during the transition. Semi-structured interviews of 8 family practice physicians explored the decision-making process to accept and use a new EMR system. NVivo for Windows computer software was used to assist with the analysis of semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and artifacts to identify themes. Three themes and 8 subthemes emerged from the data analysis. Key recommendations from the study include highlighting how the new system will improve the quality of care of patients, develop a multidisciplinary quality training program, and be prepared to address with the physicians the emotional impact inherent in transitions. The study findings may be important to health care leaders, policymakers, and health information technology designers and implementers in understanding how family practice physicians decide to accept and use future technology.