| Although California physicians use health information technology (HIT) to a greater extent than their counterparts in other states, most still rely on paper records and manual systems. The survey results in this snapshot, which encompass physician groups and practices, individual physicians, and community clinics, reveal that doctors in California are far from realizing the full potential benefits of HIT adoption. Among the highlights: - Only 13% of medical practices use electronic health records (EHRs).
- Only 2% of independent practice associations and 3% of community clinics have fully installed EHRs.
- Of individual physicians, 37% in California use EHRs compared to 28% in other states.
- Nearly all physicians who use EHRs said such use helps their practice provide better care.
- Physicians cite cost issues as the biggest barrier to HIT adoption.
- Only about one-quarter of physicians write prescriptions and order refills electronically and those that do tend to be in larger practices.
- Only 13% of practices use a computerized system to receive drug interaction warnings.
- About one-third of medical groups have at least one chronic disease registry and 96% of community clinics have a diabetes registry.
Larger practices and Kaiser physicians are far more likely than physicians in small practices, solo practices, or community clinics to adopt HIT tools such as EHRs and electronic prescribing. Small practices and clinics face significant financial hurdles to HIT adoption and use. As a result, the patients they serve will not benefit from the safety and quality gains that HIT fosters. The complete report is available under Document Downloads below. | 
