Electronic Medical Records: An Obamanomic Step Toward Improved Health Care

Electronic Medical Records: An Obamanomic Step Toward Improved Health Care

Mary Anne Simpson

The Obama Administration’s goal to improve the entire health care system in the USA begins with an incremental first step by introducing nearly 500,000 physicians to electronic medical records via the American Recovery and Investment Act 2009. Some physicians, hospitals and clinics throughout the world all ready use some form of health care management software which includes electronic medical record programs.

The focus of the latest efforts is to digitize all existing patient medical records, store the records on a portal which is available to both patient and provider for the purpose of engaging patient participation and of equal importance cut down on medical errors. As with all seemingly benign objectives certain concerns have been expressed on the how, why and where of achieving this primary goal.

The Idea Was Born in Science:

The National Academies is comprised of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. In 2007, the Rosenthal Foundation sponsored the lecture series, “Transforming Todays Health The focus of the latest efforts is to digitize all existing patient medical records, store the records on a portal which is available to both patient and provider for the purpose of engaging patient participation and of equal importance cut down on medical errors. As with all seemingly benign objectives certain concerns have been expressed on the how, why and where of achieving this primary goal.

The Idea Was Born in Science:

The National Academies is comprised of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. In 2007, the Rosenthal Foundation sponsored the lecture series, “Transforming Todays Health Care Workforce to Meet Tomorrow’s Demands.” The preeminent Harvey V. Fineberg, M.D. PhD and President of the Institute of Medicine and his colleagues set forth a new attitude and direction for medical care delivery which included electronic medical records.

Citing the analogy of Bob Evans, a Canadian health care economist, “before adding more sugar to a cup of tea, make sure you stir the sugar all ready in the cup.” The problem of shortages for primary health care physicians, physician assistants and registered nurses comes down to poor utilization of their time. Dr. Kevin Brumback, M.D. Professor and Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco says way too much time is being spent by physicians doing rudimentary tasks that someone with limited training or a computer could do.

Dr. Brumback doesn’t believe electronic medical records, (EMR) is a panacea for all that ails the health care system, but it will free up time physicians spend reviewing paper files, scheduling lab tests and notifying patients of results. The main point is to bring the patient into the health care system, by putting the health records on-line using a secure HIPAA web site wherein patients could see their medical file, schedule appointments, view lab results and form questions for their next physician visit. The active patient could order age appropriate tests like mammograms, colon cancer screenings and other annual tests

Care Workforce to Meet Tomorrow’s Demands.” The preeminent Harvey V. Fineberg, M.D. PhD and President of the Institute of Medicine and his colleagues set forth a new attitude and direction for medical care delivery which included electronic medical records.

Citing the analogy of Bob Evans, a Canadian health care economist, “before adding more sugar to a cup of tea, make sure you stir the sugar all ready in the cup.” The problem of shortages for primary health care physicians, physician assistants and registered nurses comes down to poor utilization of their time. Dr. Kevin Brumback, M.D. Professor and Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco says way too much time is being spent by physicians doing rudimentary tasks that someone with limited training or a computer could do.

Dr. Brumback doesn’t believe electronic medical records, (EMR) is a panacea for all that ails the health care system, but it will free up time physicians spend reviewing paper files, scheduling lab tests and notifying patients of results. The main point is to bring the patient into the health care system, by putting the health records on-line using a secure HIPAA web site wherein patients could see their medical file, schedule appointments, view lab results and form questions for their next physician visit. The active patient could order age appropriate tests like mammograms, colon cancer screenings and other annual tests

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