opinion
Getting the most out of EHRs
■ Connected coverage - selected articles on trends, challenges and controversies in the changing world of medicine
Posted June 4, 2012
The electronic health record is changing how physicians deliver care — and doctors are wrestling with how to make sure those changes are positive.
As more physicians buy EHRs for their practices, they are learning how digital records can improve the practice and patient care, and the limits of their effectiveness. American Medical News has reported about how physicians are working toward getting EHRs to adapt better to their needs. In a related physician commentary, we presented a personalized view of what’s required for EHRs to live up to their potential.
Doctors’ love-hate relationship with EHRs
Knowing what doctors like and dislike about their EHRs can help physicians make wiser choices about what system to buy — and avoid the painful and expensive process of de-installing a system. Read more
Search is on to cure EHR alert fatigue
Alerts on EHRs are designed to let physicians know when there might be a patient safety issue involved in a medical decision, but too many unnecessary alerts can become a bother. Vendors and others are trying to work on systems that will make alerts more meaningful. Read more
The EHR: It’s about our patients, not technology
Physicians have a message for EHR vendors and advocates: While the technology is good, in the end it’s not all about bells and whistles. It’s about how the technology benefits patients, and physician input is necessary to ensure that those benefits happen. Read more