The number of electronic health record (EHR) buyers who are looking to replace their systems has increased by 59 percent since 2014, according to new research from the Austin, Tx.-based EHR comparison site Software Advice.
The researchers say that this implies that many EHR products are failing to meet physicians' needs. Currently, the research found, clinicians looking to replace an existing EHR outnumbers the amount of clinicians looking to purchase an EHR for the first time. Back in 2010, a full 63 percent of buyers were looking to replace paper methods—but in 2015, that number has dropped to 37 percent.
“Our data shows it’s becoming increasingly rare for vendors to encounter a first-time EHR buyer,” said Software Advice EHR market researcher Gaby Loria. “In fact, 60 percent of buyers in our sample are replacing EHR systems. Clinicians who outgrow (or grow tired of) their current systems have a clearer understanding of their needs, challenges and pain points. Experienced buyers already know what an EHR is capable of doing—now they want to know how a specific system can take their care quality to the next level.
What's more, the research found that billing is the top-requested application for the highest percentage of EHR buyers (45 percent) potentially due to upcoming ICD-10 transition, as 92 percent of buyers do billing in-house. In fact, some of these buyers specifically say they want to purchase an EHR with billing applications so they can bring the process back in-house, according to the survey.
