Adoption of health information technology in community health centers: Results of a national survey

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

9-2007

Journal

Health Affairs

Volume

VOlume 26, Issue 5

Inclusive Pages

1373-1383

Keywords

Ambulatory Care Information Systems--utilization; Diffusion of Innovation; Health Care Surveys; Health Status Disparities; Medical Records Systems, Computerized--utilization; Vulnerable Populations; Electronic Health Record; Health Information Exchange; Community Health Centers; Health Homes; GG/RCHN

Abstract

To the extent that health information technology (IT) improveshealth care quality, differential adoption among providers thatserve vulnerable populations may exacerbate health disparities.This first national survey of federally funded community healthcenters (CHCs) shows that although 26 percent reported someelectronic health record (EHR) capacity and 13 percent havethe minimal set of EHR functionalities, CHCs serving the mostpoor and uninsured patients were less likely to have a functionalEHR. CHCs cited lack of capital as the top barrier to adoption.Ensuring comparable health IT capacity among providers thatdisproportionately serve disadvantaged patients will have increasingrelevance for disparities; thus, monitoring adoption among suchproviders should be a priority.

Peer Reviewed

1

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