Selected findings from a recent VRC qualitative survey* of ophthalmic practices conducted at the 2008 AAO conference:

• Of the ophthalmic practices that are already using or starting to use EMR:
  • The single greatest impediment to EMR is transitioning from paper to electronic files.
  • Physicians interviewed stated that the cost of transitioning appears to be greater than the investment in the software platform.
  • Several physicians noted that they needed to add up to 2-3 staff members during the transition period.
• In addition to the probable future legal requirements about use of EMR, a key reason that practices are interested in making the transition it to be more eligible for inclusion in clinical trials.