Share of doctors using digital records up a bit

By Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nearly a quarter of U.S. physicians used some form of electronic patient record in 2005, a report said on Friday, as officials try to meet a presidential goal of having digital health data for every American by 2014.

"Although these estimates show that progress has been made toward the goal of universal electronic health records, there is still a long way to go," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statisticians said in the report.

About 24 percent of doctors in 2005 said they used electronic health records, either entirely or in combination with paper, compared with 21 percent in 2004, the CDC found.

Most experts agree electronic records can reduce medical errors by keeping prescriptions, allergies and other information straight. They can also cut costs by reducing duplicated tests as well as the staff needed to manage files.

There is less agreement over who should pay for them, but critics say doctors are asked to foot the bill while insurers reap the savings. Others worry about patient privacy.

The CDC survey of 1,281 doctors found gaps between large medical practices and smaller doctor groups. About 46 percent of doctors in groups with 11 or more use some form of electronic records compared with 16 percent in solo practices.

The administration of President George W. Bush has funded development of related computer networks and a post to champion health information technology, which remains empty after the April resignation of David Brailer, who served for two years.

"It hasn't been going quickly," said the American College of Physicians' Dr. William Golden, an internist at the University of Arkansas, of the digital adoption, though he added state efforts and new product certification could help.

A government healthcare IT certification group gave its seal of approval this week to 18 software products, which its chairman said should help more doctors, particularly in small practices, go digital.