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I see a convergence of bits and pieces coming from payers, providers, technology entrepreneurs, consumer advocacy groups (say AARP), government agencies putting out — in fits and starts — takes on EHRs that address their immediate needs, then a shake out of the superfluous or too costly. In other words, a market chaos in which consumers and providers are being both pushed and pulled and then finally submitting to the EHRs left standing. That’s my ‘tipping point’ view, I guess.

Although I wish it were the case, I’m not sure this issue is as simple as “push versus pull”. I believe electronic medical records / electronic health records adoption rates will benefit from a variety of different forces coming together. To see widespread adoption of healthcare information technology, payers must put more skin in the game, whether that’s accomplished through special incentives to their contracted physicians or outright financing of EMR software for their physician network(s). This, of course, assumes EMR software will remain relatively expensive for ambulatory physicians. I don’t expect any major price shifts in the next 2-5 years.

Information-sharing standards (to include EMR design standards) will help, too, since it’s critical for Physician Joe’s system to easily “talk” to Physician Sally’s system across town, even if they’re not in the same payer/provider network.

EMR Software Guy,
http://www.electronic-medical-record.blogspot.com

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