Skip to main content

Main menu

  • HOME
  • ARTICLES
    • Current Issue
    • Ahead of Print
    • Archives
    • Abstracts In Press
    • Special Issue Archive
    • Subject Collections
  • INFO FOR
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Call For Papers
    • Subscribers
    • Advertisers
  • SUBMIT
    • Manuscript
    • Peer Review
  • ABOUT
    • The JABFM
    • The Editing Fellowship
    • Editorial Board
    • Indexing
    • Editors' Blog
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • Other Publications
    • abfm

User menu

Search

  • Advanced search
American Board of Family Medicine
  • Other Publications
    • abfm
American Board of Family Medicine

American Board of Family Medicine

Advanced Search

  • HOME
  • ARTICLES
    • Current Issue
    • Ahead of Print
    • Archives
    • Abstracts In Press
    • Special Issue Archive
    • Subject Collections
  • INFO FOR
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Call For Papers
    • Subscribers
    • Advertisers
  • SUBMIT
    • Manuscript
    • Peer Review
  • ABOUT
    • The JABFM
    • The Editing Fellowship
    • Editorial Board
    • Indexing
    • Editors' Blog
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • JABFM on Bluesky
  • JABFM On Facebook
  • JABFM On Twitter
  • JABFM On YouTube
Brief ReportPolicy Brief

Establishing a Baseline: Health Information Technology Adoption among Family Medicine Diplomates

Andrew Bazemore, Matthew Burke, Imam Xierali, Stephen Petterson, Jason Rinaldo, Larry A. Green and James Puffer
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine March 2011, 24 (2) 132; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.110010
Andrew Bazemore
MD, MPH
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Matthew Burke
MD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Imam Xierali
PhD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Stephen Petterson
PhD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Jason Rinaldo
PhD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Larry A. Green
MD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
James Puffer
MD
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • Figures & Data
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

Abstract

The Office of the National Coordinator and recent federal policy have dramatically expanded incentives for adoption and “meaningful use” of electronic health records (EHRs). However, little reliable information regarding adoption rates in primary care, and some concern exists about lagging adoption rates beyond large group practices.1

Reported EHR adoption rates among family physicians—the largest and most widely distributed group of primary care providers—vary widely. We used a unique census survey that captured self-reported use of EHRs among this critical cohort, and had a 100% response rate among family medicine diplomats. Specifically, we used data from diplomates who were applying for the maintenance of certification (MOC) examination (part III, cognitive assessment) during the years 2006 through 2009 (n = 8263, n = 9507, n = 9692, and n = 7941, respectively). We stratified the data along the 2003 Rural Urban Continuum Codes to determine whether there would be variation with increasing rurality.

The rate of EHR adoption among family physicians rose significantly between 2006 (37%) and 2009 (55%) (Figure 1). The 4-year (2006–2009) pooled adoption rate across the rural to urban continuum revealed a slight but statistically insignificant decrease in adoption with increasing rurality, consistent with evidence that rural family physicians are keeping up with urban peers in MOC.2 However, significant variation at the state level was apparent.

Figure 1.
  • Download figure
  • Open in new tab
Figure 1.

Mean adoption of electronic health records, 2006–2009, where 1 = most urban and 9 = most rural. 2009 subjects include exam takers through April 2009. Data are from responses to a mandatory survey required of all family physicians who take the cognitive testing component of American Board of Family Medicine recertification examination. NA, cases unable to be geo-referenced to 2003 Rural Urban Continuum Codes.

A majority of board-certified family physicians in the United States now use EHRs. The most rural of family physicians lag slightly behind the national adoption frequency, but 4-year trends suggest similar rates of uptake. Though board-certified family physicians may differ from those who do not maintain certification, understanding uptake among this cohort is critical because MOC and the adoption of health information technology both are essential elements of quality improvement in primary care. Although further monitoring of adoption trends is important, the mounting challenge will not be adoption but the sufficiency of EHRs to help family physicians take better care of their patients.

Notes

  • This article was externally peer reviewed.

  • Funding: none.

  • Conflict of interest: none declared.

  • Received for publication January 6, 2011.
  • Revision received January 26, 2011.
  • Accepted for publication January 26, 2011.

References

  1. 1.↵
    1. DesRoches CM,
    2. Campbell EG,
    3. Rao DR,
    4. et al
    . Electronic health records in ambulatory care–a national survey of physicians. N Engl J Med 2008;359:50–60.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  2. 2.↵
    1. Bazemore AW,
    2. Xierali IM,
    3. Petterson SM,
    4. et al
    . American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) maintenance of certification: variations in self assessment modules uptake within the 2006 cohort. J Am Board Fam Med 2010;23:49–58.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

The Journal of the American Board of Family     Medicine: 24 (2)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Vol. 24, Issue 2
March-April 2011
  • Table of Contents
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
  • Cover (PDF)
  • Index by author
  • Back Matter (PDF)
  • Front Matter (PDF)
Print
Download PDF
Article Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on American Board of Family Medicine.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Establishing a Baseline: Health Information Technology Adoption among Family Medicine Diplomates
(Your Name) has sent you a message from American Board of Family Medicine
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the American Board of Family Medicine web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
14 + 5 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
Citation Tools
Establishing a Baseline: Health Information Technology Adoption among Family Medicine Diplomates
Andrew Bazemore, Matthew Burke, Imam Xierali, Stephen Petterson, Jason Rinaldo, Larry A. Green, James Puffer
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Mar 2011, 24 (2) 132; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.110010

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Establishing a Baseline: Health Information Technology Adoption among Family Medicine Diplomates
Andrew Bazemore, Matthew Burke, Imam Xierali, Stephen Petterson, Jason Rinaldo, Larry A. Green, James Puffer
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Mar 2011, 24 (2) 132; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.110010
Twitter logo Facebook logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One

Jump to section

  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Notes
    • References
  • Figures & Data
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.
  • PubMed
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • More Comprehensive Care Among Family Physicians is Associated with Lower Costs and Fewer Hospitalizations
  • The Rise of Electronic Health Record Adoption Among Family Physicians
  • A New Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Feature: The American Board of Family Medicine-Robert Graham Center Policy Brief
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Rural Family Physicians Are More Likely to Collaborate with Multisector Community Organizations
  • Family Medicine Residents Intentions to Provide Gender Affirming Care
  • Only One Quarter of Family Physicians Are Very Satisfied with Their Electronic Health Records Platform
Show more Policy Brief

Similar Articles

Navigate

  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues

Authors & Reviewers

  • Info For Authors
  • Info For Reviewers
  • Submit A Manuscript/Review

Other Services

  • Get Email Alerts
  • Classifieds
  • Reprints and Permissions

Other Resources

  • Forms
  • Contact Us
  • ABFM News

© 2025 American Board of Family Medicine

Powered by HighWire