I do a lot of public speaking to groups of patients, and some of those talks include mention of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), also called EHRs (electronic health records.)
|
I'll ask "How many of you think your doctor uses electronic records?" Almost everyone raises their hands.
Then I'll ask, "How many of you can go to a different doctor or hospital, either at home or away (perhaps on vacation) and know that a second doctor will be able to pull up that same medical record through the Internet as your first doctor was using?" Then maybe one or two people will raise their hands.
Finally I'll ask, "And how many of you can then go home and using your computer, access your own medical record - the same one your first or second doctor could look up?"
So far, I haven't found anyone who had that capability.
What that means is that so far, I have not found one single patient that has access to an EMR system like we all should have.
If you aren't sure how a real EMR system is supposed to work, here's a delightful 2-minute video that explains it clearly and in a fun way. When you better understand how an EMR should work, you'll better understand why they are so important.
There are definitely pros and cons to such a system, but when done right, and when they provide meaningful use to patients, then EMRs can help us be healthier.
I'm curious about your situation. Do you have a true EMR? Take this poll!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Learn more or join the conversation!
NEWSLETTER | FORUM | BIO | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Photo © pappamart /iStockphoto.com
The only true EHR I have had was at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. I could actually leave my doctor an email from home. I actually got answered!!!
My current pain doctor has a totally electronic office. The problem is, when his computer system goes down, he cannot access my file. The Dallas home office can, but that is of no help.
Of course if you are in the health group of a major hospital, your records are there. That saves time when getting tested or having a procedure.
In common usage, EMR and EHR are used interchangeably. The technical difference is the EMR is the record that resides only in your doctor’s office, and the EHR is your information shared and available to several of your healthcare providers. Here’s an easy way to remember the difference. The M in EMR is for Me as in Me and My doctor. The H in EHR can be for Help or Hurt. Sharing your records between providers of healthcare for you and your insurance company can make things go smoothly and efficiently That’s Helpful. EHR Information can be used to deny you coverage. That Hurts.