Media coverage of the adoption of electronic health records: a content analysis of local and national print newspapers and press releases

Abstract

This article uses a content analysis to examine newspaper coverage and press releases coverage of the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and electronic medical records (EMRs). Articles (n=137) were gathered from Lexis-Nexis from some of the highest circulated dailies in the country as well as local papers. Releases (n=122) were also gathered from Lexis-Nexis from local and national governments, health information technology companies and hospitals. Research of previous studies using content analysis to examine health care frames and adoption of technology frames were used to establish which frames would be examined in the current research. The articles and releases were examined for 12 different framing theories relating to health care communications and communications about the adoption of technology. Of the 12 possible frames, 6 were significantly different from articles to releases. The remaining 6 were not significantly different from articles to releases. The research suggests public relations practitioners have improvements to make in terms of matching frames found present in newspaper articles about the adoption of EHRs and EMRs.