The weekly Prescriptions for Health column is part of an ongoing community health education effort by Franklin Memorial Hospital to provide information on an important health topic by its medical staff, with support from intern Sam Bennett, a junior at the University of Maine at Farmington majoring in biology and creative writing.
By Dr. Jay Naliboff
In an increasingly digital world, many doctors are switching to electronic medical records. But do you know how this new technology works, and why many doctors favor it? Now is the time to learn why your doctor should use electronic records.
Electronic medical records, or EMRs, are computerized databases that keep track of all the health-related information on the patients in a given practice. By keeping records, doctors can monitor their patients’ health as it changes over time; for example, they can schedule when a patient is due for a checkup based on when their last appointment was, and they can compare changes in a patient’s blood pressure to see how it has changed with time or treatment. Furthermore, keeping records of what medications a patient uses allows a doctor to prescribe drugs that won’t cause allergic reactions. Overall, keeping a complete record of a patient’s health information goes a long way toward improving the care that a doctor gives.
Just as doctors kept track of their patients’ needs on paper charts in the past, today’s physicians handle the information digitally. But there are many advantages that EMRs have over paper records. Typically, a practice will allow each of its doctors to access the same electronic record, so the information EMRs contain can be used by multiple providers. Because no physical file is required to store information in an EMR, electronic records are easier to organize, and they can record more data without requiring additional sheets of paper. And you know that old joke about doctors always having bad handwriting? With EMRs, doctors can type in the information they give to their patients, so there’s no trouble reading it.
In the past, some doctors have been resistant to EMRs, citing that the technology is too expensive or too much trouble to keep up with. But the use of electronic records is growing – according to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2012, 72 percent of doctors used EMRs, compared to 48 percent in 2009. This percentage will only grow in the future. Since 2010, the federal government has encouraged the use of electronic medical records by providing Medicare and Medicaid benefits to doctors who follow a set of guidelines for using EMRs. There may come a time when doctors will be penalized for not switching to electronic records.
It’s important for any doctor to keep a record of what their patient needs so they can be best prepared for addressing any concerns. Electronic records offer advantages in accessibility and ease of use for doctors and patients alike. That’s why doctors across the country have switched to EMRs.
Dr. Jay Naliboff practiced obstetrics and gynecology at Franklin Memorial Hospital for 32 years. He is currently Franklin Memorial Hospital vice president of medical affairs.
This is a well-written article that clearly explains what an EMR is, and how beneficial it is to providers and patients alike. Thank you, Dr. Naliboff!
I also strongly feel that it should be MANDATORY for FCHN primary care providers to enter test results and reports into the Patient Portal, thus allowing patients full and timely access to our own health information. It seems to be up to the individual physicians what, if any, information is provided to the patient via the Portal. Customers should not have to call and request that their provider put results into the portal, nor should we be compelled to travel to the facility to obtain copies of results; it should simply be part of the service. Please allow us to advocate for and be involved in our own health care by making it readily available to us.
Many Franklin Health Network primary care physicians are putting their patients test results and reports into
their Patient Portal. To A Customer, find a primary care physician that does just that!!!