Health Information Technology: Electronic Medical Records System - Assignment Example

Health Information Technology: Electronic Medical Records System College Health Information Technology: Electronic Medical Records System Review of Related Literature The drive to improve quality healthcare and decrease, if not to eliminate, errors in health practice propels global researchers to develop technological systems that can be utilized to attain goals like these. One of these improvements is the health information technology, particularly the employment of electronic medical records in healthcare institutions.

According to Elekwachi (2008), electronic health records (EHR) pertains to the broad term for the patient records, whereas, electronic medical records (EMR) pertains to records operating within an organization. However, in a review study done by Leduc, Lorenzettie, Quan, Straus, & Sykes (2011), the use of terms electronic medical records (EMR) and electronic health records (EHR) has been known to vary depending on the country and can be used interchangeably. Current statistics show that majority of health care settings in US has not yet been able to convert from paper-based records into electronic medical records (Gasch & Gasch, 2010).

Among the few healthcare institutions implementing electronic medical records, the maximum benefits are not yet fully realized (Elekwachi, 2008). Gasch & Gasch (2010) identified that there is a variety of medical specialties that will be required to adapt electronic medical records. Alongside with this, is the fact that there is also diversity in EMRs (Gasch & Gasch, 2010). Primary care practice is the focus of this study due to its large population and easy accessibility. Although physicians in primary care settings presents a positive willingness on EMRs (Leduc et al., 2011), there still is a cloud of hindrances that prevents these primary care clinics in adapting EMRs.

Willingness and cooperation among health care personnel are some of the factors that empower an institution to be able to adapt to health information technologies (Feifer, Nemeth, Ornstein, & Stuart, 2008). According to Leduc et al. (2011), primary care practitioners perceive positive and negative effects of EMRs on their practice. One of the highlighted advantages of EMR is easy accessibility of pertinent data; however, a bouncing disadvantage is the risk of patient privacy and confidentiality (Leduc et al., 2011). In addition, a cost-benefit study done between traditional paper-based records and electronic medical records over a five-year period show that although establishment of EMRs will demand financial investment, the benefit outgrows the investment depending on key factors (Bardon et al., 2003). This is seconded by Leduc et al. (2011) where they cited that financial expenditure in adopting EMR system are gained overtime.

Needs Assessment Population of primary care clinics within a specific area is to be determined. The exact boundaries and perimeter area must be predefined before gaining a total census of primary care clinics. Set of guidelines will guide selection of primary care clinics. One of the factors to be considered is the method of records employed in these primary care settings. Those who utilize paper based records will be the subject of the study. Research questions The research questions can focus on identifying the hindrances on adoption of electronic medical records such as financial cost and staff training.

This is in consideration of the fact that while electronic medical records are mandatory, most primary care settings are not yet implementing such policy. An example of a research question can be: 1. What are the difficulties encountered by primary care settings in converting from paper-based records to electronic medical records? Hypothesis Based on the review of literature, a hypothesis can be drawn that primary care settings are experiencing financial cost burden when transitioning to electronic medical records.

In addition, difficulty in staff training and adjustment can also be a hindrance to such adoption of EMRs. Purpose of research The research aims to identify the primary causes that hinder a primary care setting from adopting electronic medical records. It is in the elimination of the hindrances that further researches can be formed to guide primary care settings in adoption of EMRs. Research method With the large population of primary care settings in US, a purposive sampling can be employed in selecting the subjects of the study.

Primary clinics with close proximity to the researcher can be chosen. The staff can be interviewed using a survey questionnaire developed from the review of related literature and other previous studies. This study will identify and enumerate the primary factors that make adoption of electronic medical records in primary care settings difficult. The results can be presented in a tabulated or graphed form identifying at least three to five of the most prevalent factors identified by the participants.

By employing a purposive sampling, the researcher will be able to select primary care settings in close proximity. The researcher will be able to conduct the research in a measurable and short amount of time through this sampling technique. Results obtained can be presented in the institutions, where, decisions of adoption to electronic medical records are made. Conclusion Data gathered can be analyzed through tabulation and the simplest statistical method of obtaining mean, median and mode. Based on the results of statistical analysis, the hindrances of adopting electronic medical records system can be concluded.

These identified difficulties will aid primary care clinics in faster adaptation of EMRs. Furthermore, the factors which scored the highest can then be recommended to be given emphasis in future researches. References Bardon, C., Bates, D., Carchidi, P., Fairchild, D., Goldszer, R., Kittler, A., Kuperman, G., Middleton, B., Prosser, L., Spurr, C., Sussman, A. & Wang, S. (2003). A cost-benefit analysis of electronic medical records in primary care. The American Journal of Medicine, 5, 397-403. doi:10.1016/S0002-9343(03)00057-3 Elekwachi, A. (2008). Limitations to the Utilization of Electronic Medical Records by Healthcare Professionals: A Case Study of Small Medical Practices (Doctoral Dissertation).

Retrieved from Capella University Dissertation database. (UMI No. 33041332) Feifer, C., Nemeth, L., Ornstein, S. & Stuart, G. (2008). Implementing change in primary care practices using electronic medical records: A conceptual framework. Biomed Central, 1, 1-11. doi:10.1186/1748-5908-3-3 Gasch, A. & Gasch, B. (2010). Successfully Choosing Your EMR: 15 Crucial Decisions. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell. Leduc, J., Lorenzettie, D., Quan, H., Straus, S., & Sykes, L. (2011). The impact of the electronic medical record on structure, process, and outcomes within primary care: a systematic review of the evidence.

Informatics in Health and Biomedicine, 18, 732-737. doi: 10.1136/amiajnl-2010-000019