Instant availability of patient records, but diminished availability of patient information: A multi-method study of GP's use of electronic patient records
This is a review of Tom Christensen and Anders Grimsmo's 2008 article, Instant availability of patient records, but diminished availability of patient information: A multi-method study of GP's use of electronic patient records. [1] [2]
Contents
Introduction
The authors in the study try to evaluate some functions of electronic patient record (EPR) systems. This study considers three methods to collect the data of study which are mainly contributes Norwegians general practitioners (GPs) in primary health care environment. [1]
Methods
The following are the study methods:
- Three selected GP groups with different experience in dealing with paper records, the validated interviews were performed.
- Observations of the use of 80 GP-patient encounters in five different medical practices were performed.
- Questioners to randomly program- selected GP members of the Norwegian Medical Association.
After collection of these data and exclusion of wrong and biased data, the researchers began to analyze the data and compare the results. The study analysis focused on three main items which are the ability of Electronic Patient Records (EPR) to support GP work load, time spent on EPR and possible effects on physician-patient relationship.
After comparing the results of questioners and focus groups interviews, the authors found that the spent use time on EPR system were less than surveys. The authors came to a result that concludes: the availability of patients records were improved but the patient data within these records should be increased.
The study explores some benefits of EPR also explores some failure of computerization. Among the benefits are EPR saves the time for looking for patient records, permanent availability of patient, simultaneous multiuser access to the patient records, improved readability than paper records. Other benefits include flexibility of visualization the data, automated data entry and flexibility of search engine. All of these advantages lead to decrease in prescription medical error and increase the clinician performance and compliance with electronic system. These benefits return to the patient health life and general health care quality.
Comment
The study achieves its purpose to evaluate EPR that resulted in providing some information about success and failure of EPR systems and explores some recommendation for increasing availability of patient information to the electronic personal records. Good researchers’ effort in performing and explaining the study in a manner that ease the implementation of it on different health care organizations.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tom Christensen and Anders Grimsmo. Instant availability of patient records, but diminished availability of patient information: A multi-method study of GP's use of electronic patient records. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 2008, 8:12. doi:10.1186/1472-6947-8-12. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6947/8/12
- ↑ http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1472-6947-8-12.pdf