The 2014 Electronic Health Records (EHR) BuyerView report reveals that 40% of buyers are replacing existing EHR systems, primarily due to the need for improved integration and mobile support. First-time buyers are more focused on enhancing organization and efficiency while anticipating regulatory compliance benefits. Most buyers prefer integrated software suites, with a strong inclination towards web-based solutions and a desire to implement new systems quickly.

1. Electronic Health Records (EHR)
BuyerView Report 2014
Insight into today’s software buyer

2. Software Advice regularly speaks on the phone with medical practices seeking
new EHR software. We randomly selected 385 of our phone interactions from
January–March 2014 to uncover physicians’ most common pain points and their
reasons for purchasing new software .
• A growing number of buyers—40 percent—are replacing existing EHR systems.
• Buyers replacing existing software want integration between applications.
• Mobile support tops EHR buyers’ list of requested features.
Abstract

3. More Buyers Are Replacing Existing EHR Software
In 2010, only 19% of buyers were purchasing an EHR to replace an existing
system. By 2014, that figure has risen to 40%.
Percent of buyers replacing EHR vs. paper
Q1 2010
Q1 2013
Q1 2014
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
0.48
0.5
0.63
0.4
0.3
0.2
Replacing commercial EHR Replacing paper

4. EHR Buyers’ Current Charting Methods
Paper remains the most commonly used method for record-keeping among the
EHR buyers we spoke to, though existing EHRs are a close second place.
2%
2%
6%
14%
34%
42%
Paper / manual methods
Commercial EHR
Nothing (starting new)
Paper + commercial EHR
Non-EHR software
Proprietary EHR

5. Existing EHR Users Want Better Performance and Integration
Percent of buyers
Buyers replacing an existing EHR are doing so because their current solution is too
cumbersome, and/or they want integration with billing or scheduling functions.
Current is cumbersome
Seeking integration
Regulatory compliance
Current is outdated
Want to explore options
Current is faulty
Current is missing features
Current is expensive
Opening a new practice
Improving organization / efficiency
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

6. First-Time Buyers Want to Improve Organization and Efficiency
Percent of buyers
First-time EHR buyers want the benefits of a paperless practice (organization,
efficiency, reduced paperwork), and want to be able to attest to meaningful use.
Improve organization / efficiency
Regulatory compliance
Go electronic / paperless
Starting a new practice
Reduce paperwork
Want an integrated system
Want to save money
Qualify for meaningful use dollars
Current is cumbersome
Want to explore options
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

7. Mobile Support Tops List of Requested EHR Features
Percent of buyers
Among the 10 most-requested features of EHR buyers, the desire for EHRs with
smartphone and tablet applications was most common.
Mobile support
E-prescribing
Lab integration
Meaningful use certification
Specialty-specific features
Templates
Electronic claim support
Appointment reminders
Eligibility inquiry
Dictation capabilities
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

8. Most Buyers Want New Software in Place Within 3 Months
Nearly 25% of the buyers wanted a new system in place within one month. Only
5% of buyers expressed willingness to wait “as long as it takes.”
5%
1%
15%
24%
33%
22%
<1 month
1-3 months
3-6 months
6-12 months
>12 months
Not provided

9. EHR Buyers Prefer Integrated Suites
The vast majority of buyers requested an integrated software suite. These buyers
wanted applications such as scheduling or billing integrated with the EHR.
2%
9%
89%
Integrated suite only
Best-of-breed
No preference

10. Buyers with a Preference Prefer Web-Based EHR Software
60% of buyers had no preference between deployment models. Among those with
a preference, 85% requested Web-based software solutions.
15%
85%
Web-based
On-premise

11. Titles of EHR Buyers
Almost half of the buyers we spoke with—47%—were medical practitioners
(doctors, dentists, mental health counselors, etc.).
3%
3%
4%
5%
10%
26%
47%
Doctor / Practitioner
Director / Manager
Owner / Co-owner
Assistant / Administrator
Consultant
Executive
Billing department
Other

12. EHR Buyers’ Practice Sizes
Most of the buyers in our sample came from practices with one or two doctors.
Only a small fraction of buyers came from practices with more than 25 doctors.
2%
7%
2%
3%
8%
19%
56%
Solo practice
2 doctors
3 doctors
4 doctors
5 doctors
6 to 10 doctors
11 to 25 doctors
26 to 50 doctors
50+ doctors

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14. Software Advice™ is a trusted resource for software buyers. The company's
website, www.softwareadvice.com, provides detailed reviews, comparisons and
research to help organizations choose the right software. Meanwhile, the company’s
team of software analysts provide free telephone consultations to help each
software buyer identify systems that best fit their needs. In the process, Software
Advice connects software buyers and sellers, generating high-quality opportunities
for software vendors.
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