Title: Macro influencers of electronic health records adoption

Authors: Vijay V. Raghavan; Ravi Chinta; Nikita Zhirkin

Addresses: Department of Business Informatics, GH 549 College of Informatics, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, USA ' Department of Business Administration, Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL 36177, USA ' IBM Bay Area Lab, 1001 E Hillsdale Blvd., Suite 400, Foster City, CA 94404, USA

Abstract: While adoption rates for electronic health records (EHRs) have improved, the reasons for significant geographical differences in EHR adoption within the USA have remained unclear. To understand the reasons for these variations across states, we have compiled from secondary sources a profile of different states within the USA, based on macroeconomic and macro health-environment factors. Regression analyses were performed using these indicator factors on EHR adoption. The results showed that internet usage and literacy are significantly associated with certain measures of EHR adoption. Income level was not significantly associated with EHR adoption. Per capita patient days (a proxy for healthcare need intensity within a state) is negatively correlated with EHR adoption rate. Health insurance coverage is positively correlated with EHR adoption rate. Older physicians (>60 years) tend to adopt EHR systems less than their younger counterparts. These findings have policy implications on formulating regionally focused incentive programs.

Keywords: EHRs; electronic health records; EHR adoption; macroeconomic factors; macro health environment; electronic healthcare; e-healthcare; USA; United States; internet usage; literacy; income level; per capita patient days; health insurance coverage; physician age; regional incentive programmes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2015.071644

International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, 2015 Vol.8 No.1, pp.76 - 94

Received: 24 Mar 2015
Accepted: 11 Jul 2015
Published online: 08 Sep 2015 *

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