12.19.11 Why would highly trained, intelligent physicians resist the adoption of electronic medical records, a technology touted to provide a number of benefits including improved patient health?

A joint study by LSU and the Louisiana State Medical Society asked that question and found that doctors who have not implemented the technology have their reasons, rational reasons, including:

•Negative views of EMR and the EMR marketplace,
•A lack of impact on physician performance,
• Initial and long-term implementation concerns, such as the cost for the systems and staff training,
•Distrust of federal and state governments and insurance companies,
•Security and legal concerns.