In the past, one of the most significant hurdles to overcome in EHR implementation has been getting physicians on board with the transition away from paper-based record keeping. However, this may be changing, as experts report that a growing number of clinicians are coming to see EHRs as an important part of the future of healthcare.

Dr. John Halamka, the chief information officer at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and dean for technology at Harvard University Medical Center, recently wrote for MedCity News that in the past a number of doctors only acknowledged the workflow disruptions sometimes caused by EHR implementation. However, many now view the technology as integral to delivering high-quality care.

"For the first time in my career, I am seeing a cultural transformation such that the majority of clinicians believe an EHR is a necessary part of their practice," he wrote.

Involving physicians in EHR implementation creates a culture in which doctors are more likely to embrace the technology rather than fight it, according to research out of the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Halamka's comments indicate that this approach may be growing in prevalence.