Background: Electronic prescribing has been purported to be the panacea in decreasing prescribing errors. However, the potential for problems has not been explored. Aims: To examine provider perceptions regarding the potential for prescription errors inherent in the electronic medical record (EMR) and possible solutions. This survey is part of a larger study to examine the frequency and sources of prescription errors in the EMR. Methods: All pediatricians, internists, family practitioners, cardiologists and oncologists within HealthPartners Medical Group were surveyed electronically. Questions included types of prescription errors, which were most problematic, impact of electronic prescription errors, frequency of errors, and suggestions for modifications. Results: One hundred nine out of 248 providers have currently completed surveys (45%); 52% were female, and 76% practiced for >10 years. Dosing errors (choosing wrong strength or form) were reported by 72% as being potentially problematic in the EMR, picking errors (choosing wrong medication from a list) were reported by 53%, errors in instructions (e.g., choosing bid vs. qid) by 48%, and 24% indicated other types of errors. Dosing errors were reported by half of all respondents to be most problematic, while 24% reported picking errors to be most common. Self-reports of the frequency of prescribing errors were: 9% >once/week, 34% once/month, 39% once every 3-6 months, 11% once/year, and 7% never. Using a five-point scale (1=no impact, 5=major impact), only 32% selected a 3 or higher to describe the amount that this issue impacts their practice. Concerns most frequently mentioned were issues involving dosing, inability to find desired drug, default instructions, lack of interface/communication with pharmacy, and accuracy and management of current patient medication lists. Suggestions for modifying the EMR to reduce errors included consistency in naming of medications, provider-specific drug lists, and simplifying or eliminating default directions. Conclusions: Providers perceive dosing errors as problematic when using the EMR. Although providers report an inherent potential for prescription errors, many do not feel that this issue has much of an impact on their practice. Suggestions for modifications should be explored to make future improvements in the electronic prescribing component of the EMR.