Increasing use of electronic health records and other digital technologies could lead to higher primary care physician and specialist case loads, according to a new Knowledge Networks survey, Healthcare IT News reports.
After polling approximately 11,000 health care professionals, the researchers found that 52% of specialists and 50% of primary care physicians maintain EHRs, a 10 percentage-point increase for specialists and a 12 percentage-point increase for primary care physicians since 2008.
The survey also showed that 62% of specialists and 55% of primary care physicians have a smartphone, which they primarily use to access e-mail and the Internet. According to the findings, 18% of specialists and 17% of primary care doctors who use smartphones say they "e-detail" via the device, allowing them to bypass visits with pharmaceutical representatives.
Researchers predict that increased adoption of digital technology will reduce the amount of time physicians spend with pharmaceutical sales representatives. Twelve percent of specialists and 14% of primary care physicians say they expect to reduce visits over the next six months, according to the survey.
Jim Vielee, senior vice president at Knowledge Networks, said this trend might become more pronounced under the health reform law and trigger higher case loads for physicians (Merrill, Healthcare IT News, 7/8).