An Unforeseen Complication of Electronic Medical Records
(image source | wikinomics)
Few would argue that converting a paper filing system into an electronic format is a huge step up. Whether you are a small business organizing your receipts, or the head of a household putting together your shopping lists, having an easy to use, searchable, electronic record is ideal. In the simple case of going shopping my iPhone enables me to keep electronic lists of the items I think of throughout the week that I will need to pick up when I go to the stores. That list can also be emailed to the Misses if she is going to a particular store I needed something from. I also have an app that stores all of those little discount cards that every retailer uses now, so there is no need to weigh down my wallet, or key chain with an abundance of plastic. The point I am making is that I use these things because they make not just my life easier, but that of my girlfriends, the cashiers and everyone who doesn’t have to wait longer in line as I search for the right discount card. That is supposed to be the function of Electronic Medical Records, or EMR. While EMR is an outstanding achievement in healthcare, many clinicians and patients are feeling a cold shoulder during interactions with one another. “The whole point of EMR is to simplify the process and to enhance and facilitate communication,” Dr. O’Malley said. “But in order for that to happen, EMR needs to be more user-friendly and more responsive to the clinical needs of patients and clinicians.” Citing the difficulties of using EMR while creating a welcoming environment and pleasant experience with their patients, some clinicians are hoping EMR systems are redesigned with the Clinician-Patient user experience seamlessly integrated.
To read more on this complication of EMR, click here for the NY Times article, by Pauline W. Chen, M.D.
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