The systems of record keeping used by previous generations of physicians did not exactly encourage communication. However, in order to improve care quality, doctors will need to use EHR systems and other IT tools to interact with one another, according to experts speaking at the recent Digital Health Conference in New York.

Paper-based charts make it difficult for a primary care doctor to see the results of a patient's visit to a specialist or the emergency room. Speakers at the conference said that even though EHRs allow for much greater data sharing, providers have yet to widely utilize this feature, according to MedPage Today.

This may lead to the delivery of care that is less effective than would otherwise be possible. However, while rates of record exchange remain low, they are on a clear upward trajectory.

"Half the time important decisions are made with inadequate information," said A. John Blair, the CEO of MedAllies, according to the news source. "I think it's important for clinicians to understand the capabilities of the programs that are in the early beginning phases and coming in the future."

Doctors may soon have to start getting involved in more data exchange, as federal officials have signaled that this may be a part of future stages of meaningful use.