| The booming popularity of electronic medical | | | | as many patients as I now do? |
| record systems is something the health sector | | | | - If I change to an electronic medical record |
| can no longer deny. This, however, did not come | | | | system, what happens with all of my present |
| without much debate at first. Somehow, though, | | | | physical medical files? |
| a report published by the American Academy of | | | | - What program should I choose? |
| Family Practice, noting the good points of the | | | | - Should I hold off until prices go down? |
| program, silenced skepticism as to its efficiency. A | | | | There is no argument that the principal cost of |
| number of medical practitioners still believe that | | | | adopting the electronic route is expensive. But, |
| leaving a tangible paper trail of everything is most | | | | given the many benefits, including lesser |
| practicable and efficient. Unfortunately, the rising | | | | paperwork and overhead expenses, fewer |
| number of hospitals and people has made | | | | employees needed, a rise in the number of people |
| record-keeping a hefty task. | | | | that can be accommodated, and others, this is a |
| The promise of technology with an electronic | | | | viable option. |
| medical record system is the ability to quickly and | | | | HIPPA compliance concerns are also not a |
| easily access patient information from virtually | | | | setback, as electronic medical record suites all |
| anywhere and quickly and accurately give correct | | | | meet HIPPA standards. And while learning how it |
| diagnosis. Additional issues raised concerned | | | | operates may take some time, majority of user |
| operability, cost, and accuracy. Some are dubious | | | | interfaces are very easy to navigate and |
| about handing their patients' confidential history | | | | understand. Customer support is even available 24 |
| under the care of the electronic medical record | | | | 7 for any concerns and questions. |
| company. We enumerate the points raised here: | | | | Some hospitals prefer to first keep their paper |
| - How much will it cost? | | | | works with them for one year before they send |
| - It really doesn't make me less of a doctor. | | | | it for safe-keeping to virtual storage firms. Every |
| - Are the electronic medical records stable and | | | | bit of information is then updated in real time and |
| reliable? Are they backed up? Can they be lost? | | | | archived properly for future use. Physicians must |
| - Do they meet HIPPA confidentiality rules? | | | | also pick a particular software that is tailored |
| - Is the learning curve too high? How much time | | | | specifically to their needs. Looking around and |
| will it take me to learn an electronic medical | | | | reading information and reviews about the |
| record system? Where do I go if I have | | | | systems in the market first will help you to land |
| questions? | | | | the most appropriate package. |
| - Will this software allow me to still accommodate | | | | |