Other barriers cited included concern over loss of productivity during transition (36 percent), qualms regarding return on investment (34 percent) and apprehension that the system will be outmoded and dated by the time it is implemented (34 percent).

Solo pediatrician practices or those with two physicians were less likely to have a fully functional and pediatric supportive EHR system.

After seeing the numbers, Leu said the next step is to start talking to the vendors. If they have no insight or pressure from pediatricians regarding what features should be added to improve the systems, it's likely pediatricians will continue to lag with EHR adoption.  

"We need to figure out some way to convince vendors that it's worth while to actually provide these features in their systems," he said. 

"Is there some way we can work with vendors to maybe help them catalyze the development of these features by creating certain components?"

In the meantime, Leu said, "If there is some way to certify the EHRs for child health appropriateness, then that might be helpful because then at least the pediatricians would know what they should be purchasing." 

While these suggestions aren't necessarily the conclusive answer, they are most certainly headed in the right direction, he added.