Rural Patients' and Primary Care Clinic Staffs' Perceptions of EHR Implementation

Abstract

This focused ethnographic research study explores patients' and clinic staffs' experience of electronic health record (EHR) implementation in a small, independent, rural primary care practice. On the basis of participant observation of clinic staff, staff focus group, and patient interviews, results demonstrate that both patients and clinic staff have distrust and disconnect from technology. Yet, patients and clinic staff embrace patient-centered approaches and value team-based care. Understanding patients' and staffs' experience can facilitate the EHR implementation in the rural primary care setting and facilitate online access, patient portals, and other technologically based patient-centered approaches.