The Effect of Clinicians' Personal Acquaintance on Specialty Care Coordination as the Sharing of an EHR Increases. Issue 3 (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vimalananda, Varsha G.; Wormwood, Jolie B.; Qian, Shirley; Meterko, Mark; Sitter, Kailyn E.; Fincke, B. Graeme
• Is Part Of: Journal of ambulatory care management. Volume 44:Issue 3(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: care coordination -- electronic health records -- interprofessional relations -- referral and consultation -- surveys and questionnaires; Ambulatory medical care -- Administration -- Periodicals; Ambulatory medical care -- United States -- Administration -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Administration -- Periodicals; Community health services -- United States -- Administration -- Periodicals; Health planning -- Periodicals; Health planning -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.12
• DOI: 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000381
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-9917

Abstract

Abstract : We used an online survey to measure how personal acquaintance with referring primary care providers (PCPs) affects specialists' experience of care coordination as use of a shared electronic health record (EHR) increases. Only 9% of specialists rated Overall Coordination as 9 or 10 out of 10. Personal acquaintance positively impacted Overall Coordination and all measured coordination subdomains. This effect was attenuated, but persisted, even at higher levels of EHR sharing. The impact of a shared EHR alone was limited to Overall Coordination and the Data Transfer subdomains. Health systems can improve coordination through investment in clinician relationships, while research should address the gaps in coordination even with widespread personal acquaintance and shared EHRs.