Telemedicine Intensity Linked to Ambulatory Physician Electronic Health Record Use

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and Washington University in St Louis (WashU) has provided new insights into the relationship between telemedicine intensity and ambulatory physician electronic health record (EHR) use. The study, which analyzed data from 11 specialties at two large academic medical centers, found that higher telemedicine intensity was associated with increased EHR use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated the association between telemedicine intensity and ambulatory physician EHR use following the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Financial supporters for the research included the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine.
  • The study analyzed EHR use measures, including time-based and frequency-based measures, in the post-COVID-19 period (March 1, 2021, through March 7, 2022).
  • Fully telemedicine physician-weeks were associated with higher EHR use at both WashU (b = 3.2) and UCSF (b = 1.4).
  • The study concluded that supporting physicians through optimized EHR tools, tailored workflows, and team-based interventions is essential for sustainable virtual care delivery without exacerbating EHR burden.

Statistics:

  • 11 specialties were included in the study at 2 large academic medical centers (WashU and UCSF).
  • The study analyzed data from 2 post-COVID-19 periods: March 1, 2021, through March 7, 2021, and March 1, 2021, through March 7, 2022.
  • The study reported a statistically significant association between telemedicine intensity and EHR use (P
  • The study found that fully telemedicine physician-weeks were associated with increased EHR use at both WashU (b = 3.2) and UCSF (b = 1.4).

Sources:

  • Difference in physician electronic health record use by telemedicine intensity: evidence from 2 academic medical centers. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 2025;32(9):1462-1470.
  • NewsRx. Study Data from University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Update Understanding of Telemedicine (Differences in physician electronic health record use by telemedicine intensity: evidence from 2 academic medical centers). Information Technology Newsweekly. September 2, 2025; p 91.