Reported use of electronic health records to implement evidence based approaches to colorectal cancer screening in community health centers

Background. Community health centers (CHCs) are critical sources of primary care for medically underserved populations. Electronic health records (EHRs) are important for implementation of evidence-based approaches for cancer control. Methods. Cross-sectional study of CHCs from the Cancer Prevention Control Research Network’s community health center Clinic Characteristics Survey. Proportions of CHCs using EHR data to: 1) measure colorectal cancer screening, 2) deliver reports, and 3) provide patient reminders for colorectal cancer screening. Results. Only 27% of CHCs perceive EHR system’s colorectal cancer screening data as very accurate. Over half (57%) of respondent CHCs with EHRs reported it is easy or very easy to do colorectal cancer screening activities using EHR systems. Conclusions. Poor EHR data quality and cumbersome EHR systems may be significant barriers to implementation of evidence-based approaches to colorectal cancer screening in CHCs.