Following the implementation of electronic health records in a clinic, otolaryngology residents had to reallocate time directly caring for patients to update the EHRs, according to a study in Laryngoscope.
Researchers conducted a time-motion study observing the time residents spent on typical clinic activities during both operative days and clinic days.
Researchers found residents using an EHR spent more time on indirect patient care on clinic days, largely documenting in the EHR.
Researchers suggest that while overall efficiency was not altered by EHRs, time dedicated to direct patient care was slightly shortened, providing "important objective insight" into EHR use and streamlining resident curriculum, according to the study.
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