The most important part of introducing your new EMR to your relationships with patients is timing. You should be fully prepared and comfortable with the EMR applications and data entry before involving it in the relationship. The patient does not expect you to be an expert, but they do want to see confidence with the tools being used. If patients see the physician fumbling with the system or displaying any frustration, they are likely to lose confidence in your abilities and grow to resent the intruding EMR.
If implemented properly and used to its fullest capabilities, the EMR will become a natural part of your patient encounter and will recede into the exam room environment. Successful EMR adoption can help you to access information more quickly and easily may allow you more time to build the patient relationships that will lead to more effective and efficient care.2
For additional information on EMRs and other office technology, contact Itara Barnes, ACR’s practice management specialist, at (404) 633-3777, ext. 819, or [email protected].
References
- Magee M. Humanizing and revolutionizing medicine through technology. Feb. 13, 2008. Available online at http://healthcommentary.org/public/item/197363. Last accessed April 3, 2008.
- Shortliffe EH. Doctors, patients and computers: Will information technology dehumanize health care delivery? Proc Am Philos Soc. 1993;137(3):390-398.
