While the vast majority of physicians expect EHRs to significantly improve patient care, some, particularly older doctors in the U.S., do not feel fully comfortable with the technology, according to a new report. 

Researchers from Accenture surveyed 500 doctors in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the UK and the U.S. They surveyed an additional 200 from Singapore. Nearly 70 percent of all participants reported that they believed EHRs will reduce medical errors and improve care coordination.

However, physicians in the U.S. were less likely to believe EHRs would have such positive effects. Doctors over the age of 50 were particularly reluctant.

The researchers said that the situation may indicate that more needs to be done to educate doctors in the U.S. about the benefits of EHRs, as their attitudes show a certain level of disconnect from generally accepted realities.

"The challenge is to encourage behavioral change across the healthcare system through education and ongoing communication, helping physicians to embrace greater use of healthcare IT to demonstrate the value of connected health," said Rick Ratliff, an official at Accenture.