The value and usability of the electronic health record is an often-debated topic in the health IT industry. In a recent Medscape survey, 35 percent of respondents said the EHR improves the ability to respond to patient issues, but 70 percent of respondents said the EHR decreases physician face-to-face time with patients.
A recent survey conducted at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, found patients reported higher levels of patient-physician communication following the implementation of EHRs, according to a study in Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Researchers administered more than 3,400 surveys to patients between December 2012 and May 2013 related to the patient experience and patient-physician communication. Nine of the 16 questions related to the physician-patient communication received statistically significant improved responses in the three months after implementation than the three months before implementation, according to the study.
The following are the nine significantly improved areas.
- Addressing the patient by the preferred name
- Introducing his or herself and his or her role
- Communicating what will be done and how long it will take
- Responding to patient requests with immediacy
- Listening to the patient's questions and concerns
- Ensuring the patient receives the best care
- Communicating well with the patient
- Being respectful and considerate
- Being sensitive to patient's physical and emotional needs
Researchers suggest the data indicates the EHR's benefit to physician-patient communication and recommends further research to validate the findings.
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