The total IT spending for the electronic health record (EHR) market in the United States is forecast to increase to $4.8 billion in 2015, according to a report published this week by IDC's Health Industry Insights, a research and advisory firm. The study predicts a compounded annual growth rate of 15.8 percent in the EHR market over the next 10 years. Spending last year in this market reached an estimated $1.1 billion, according to the report.

As for two sub-segments – payers and providers – Lynne Dunbrack, program director of Payer Research at Health Industry Insights, and lead author of the report, states that "payers will invest earlier in EHRs compared with providers because they currently have more digitized health information than other stakeholders in the health ecosystem."

In Dunbrack’s analysis, several key drivers are uncovered for investment in EHRs, such as IT's role in improving patient safety, and the report identifies major barriers threatening fast adoption of the technology.

More information: www.healthindustry-insights.com