Successful Electronic Medical Record Systems Require Thoughtful Implementation

Main Category: IT / Internet / E-mail
Article Date: 27 Jul 2005 - 6:00 PDT

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Implementing an electronic medical record (EMR) system in a medical practice without proper communication, decision-making processes and methods for addressing conflicts can limit the overall effectiveness the EMR may have in improving quality of care and productivity within the practice.

A qualitative case study of a private family medicine practice that had recently purchased and implemented an EMR showed that dysfunctional communication patterns, the distribution of decision-making power and internal conflicts limited the effective implementation and use of the EMR.

In this practice, use of the EMR offered little or no improvement over use of paper charts.

Implementing An Electronic Medical Record in a Family Medicine Practice: Communication, Decision-Making, and Conflict
By Jesse C. Crosson, Ph.D., et al

Annals of Family Medicine is a peer-reviewed research journal that provides a cross-disciplinary forum for new, evidence-based information affecting the primary care discipline. Launched in May 2003, the journal is sponsored by six family medical organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Board of Family Medicine, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors and the North American Primary Care Research Group. Annals is published six times each year and contains original research from the clinical, biomedical, social and health services areas, as well as contributions on methodology and theory, selected reviews, essays and editorials. A board of directors with representatives from each of the sponsoring organizations oversees Annals. Complete editorial content and interactive discussion groups for each published article can be accessed free of charge on the journal's Web site, http://www.aafp.org.

Kristin Robinson
kristinr@aafp.org
913-906-6000
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org
Taken from the July/August 2005 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

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