The Dilemma of "EMR"

EMR assist real time communication with patients during their clinical visits through immediate access to patient information, allowing Doctors to interact with patients rather than searching for information from paper records. However, for some, aspects of EMRs pose a distraction during patient visits. 

Because physicians do not have to call a lab for any test result, they spend more quality time (with the patient) in a more context-rich way. Similarly, because staff can pose questions to the physicians via the EMR’s electronic instant messaging (IM) function, rather than opening the exam room door, doctor-patient communication during a visit can continue uninterrupted, at least physically.

Many of us believed that EMR’s help in assigning responsibility for a particular task to a staff member via SMS or E-mail increased the efficiency for communications that do not require face-to-face interactions with them, such as scheduling a follow-up visit. On the other hand, some believed that the convenience of communication in EMRs decreased the likelihood that real-time communication would occur when needed most, for example, during patient emergencies. One of the physicians we met explained us the importance of discussing with staff the types of urgent or sensitive issues that should be communicated orally, such as notifying a physician about a patient’s arrival at the emergency department. He also added that- “You have to use electronic communication when appropriate and voice when appropriate, and even paper when it’s appropriate”.

Overcoming EMR-related challenges to interpersonal communication will likely involve continued refinement of their design by vendors and also use by clinicians to decrease the possibility for distraction during the patient visits. Efforts around the implementation of EMR’s at various levels like any Hospital or a private clinic must incorporate training to them to improve interpersonal communication skills for them. The modification of clinical workflows to maximize interpersonal communication while using an EMR is also likely to be helpful.

Maximizing eye contact with patients with strategic placement of monitor and also engage patients in relevant parts of EMR screen, such as problem list or medications, will help Practitioners in patient education purposes and also accuracy of information gathered. At the same time patients feel safe and more comfortable knowing that information from other Doctors are available.

So until and unless the adoption of EMR’s will increase, we can't get the convincing answer about the importance of EMR in the process of communication in Healthcare.

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