The collection, storage, and processing of patient and population care-related information have advanced in the contemporary World to include Electronic Health Records (EHR). Electronic records have the advantage of improved quality of care due to up-to-date, coordinated, quick, and complete access to patients’ health records. Unlike the conventional paperwork method, which was time-consuming, EHR enables providers to instantly access the patients’ health files and indicate diagnosis and progress. Easy access and sharing of information conditioned by EHRs are crucial for effective coordinated care and patient involvement in their care. Clinicians and patients can share information safely for effective diagnosis and less probability of medical errors. EHRs improve interaction and communication between patients and clinicians to mitigate medical errors. Dosing errors, failure in diagnosis, and poor data collection rife in paperwork method of documentation lead to unintended adverse consequences to the clinicians, patients, and health institutions.
However, the computer interface may limit effective one-on-one interaction between the clinician and the patients. To maintain healthy interactions, the physicians need to strike a balance between EHR delivery and face-to-face interactive time with the patients. Clinicians rely on face-to-face interaction with the patients to evaluate progress, ask about previous complaints, complete the patient chart in the room, and assess the quality of care. The healthcare provider needs to invest more time in mobility to evaluate health progress and dictate care administration. One study highlighted that placing the computer between the patient and provider rather than using a separate room or placing the computer against the wall improves patient engagement (Saleem et al., 2021). To support diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making, the physician should restrain from the excessive delegation of care to understand the patients’ treatment plan, diagnosis, and past and current health history. In cases of a high patient population, healthcare providers can utilize clinical alerts and reminders of patient interaction. Physicians must reconcile the challenges posed by EHR with patient-provider engagement and communication.
References
Saleem, J. J., Militello, L. G., Asan, O., Read, J. M., & Montague, E. (2021). Research and Design Trends for Exam Room Computing to Enhance Patient Centeredness. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting (Vol. 65, No. 1, pp. 196-200). Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications.