Electronic health records and technical assistance to improve quality of primary care: Lessons for regional extension centers

BackgroundIn 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act apportioned $643 million for a Health Information Technology Extension Program, which established Regional Extension Centers (RECs) to support the implementation and use of electronic health records (EHRs).ProblemLittle is known, however, about how RECs should assist in EHR implementation and how they should structure ongoing support.GoalsThe purpose of this paper is to describe physicians' experiences with the Primary Care Information Project (PCIP), an REC run by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.StrategyWe interviewed 17 physicians enrolled in PCIP to understand the role of the EHRon quality of care and their experience with technical assistance from PCIP.ResultsAll physicians stated that they felt that the EHR improved the quality of care they delivered to their patients particularly because it helped them track patients. All the physicians found technical assistance helpful but most wanted ongoing assistance months or years after they adopted the EHR.Implications
- Physicians believe that both the EHR and ongoing technical assistance are important determinants of quality improvement.
- RECs should consider models that provide ongoing technical assistance at regular intervals.