How do GPs versus GP trainees adapt to electronic health records? A Portuguese pilot study.

BACKGROUND This study compares general practitioners (GPs) and general practice trainees (GPTs) on the adaptation to the electronic health records (EHRs) and how they perceive its impact on medical consultations. METHODS Cross-sectional, descriptive study. The link for an online questionnaire was sent to mainland Portuguese health care centre groups. RESULTS A total of 147 physicians (100 females and 47 males). GPs had more learning difficulties in using the EHR (P < 0.05), greater difficulty in keeping regular updated records (P < 0.001) and a more noticeable fear of the possibility of occurring prescription errors (P < 0.05), when compared with GPTs. Most GPs (75%) and GPTs (80.4%) are satisfied with how they use the EHR. CONCLUSIONS Most participants have adhered to the EHR, and are satisfied with its use. A negative impact on medical consultations was not observed. However, it is the group of GPs that is less adapted to the electronic system.