Predictors of tool usage in the military health system's electronic health record, the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between key predictor variables and use of advanced features for the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA), the electronic health record (EHR) for the Military Health System (MHS).

METHODS

Secondary analysis of a web-based volunteer survey of 520 Navy AHLTA users. chi2 and logistic regression methods were used to assess the strength of relationship between three predictor variables and the use of several advanced AHLTA features.

RESULTS

Adequacy of initial training was associated with increased use of the template management module (adjusted OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.64-3.61) and order sets (adjusted OR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.07-2.51). Duration of AHLTA usage was associated with use of all advanced features (adjusted OR = 1.69-6.12, p < or = 0.001-0.045). Physicians use most of the advanced features more than nonphysicians (adjusted OR = 1.95-7.07, p < or = 0.001-0.030). Seventy percent of users cited a slow screen refresh rate as a problem.

CONCLUSIONS

Training, duration of usage, and provider role are associated with use of advanced features.