The main problem with EHR was that computer programmers in some 3rd world country were trying to impose their idea of what medical charts should be onto the US doctors. No one bothered to ask the doctors how they actually create charts, and not every doctor does it the same way. That problem still hasn’t been fully resolved. Some EHR companies listened and now have better software, but some are still putting out a nearly worthless product and charging huge amounts for support. Some doctors I know have retired early or just decided to take the penalty fee to avoid the issue until early retirement. Others who are too far from retirement have put their techs through medical transcription training so it takes some of the burden off the doctor while they interact with the patient. Doctors that use a lot of imaging and drawing attachments to charts, such as ophthalmologists, have had some of the worst experiences with EHR.
My doc is furious! All his nurses/assistants now have rolling computer consoles. One of my meds used to be able to be refilled by just a call from the drugstore. Now I have to drive to the doc’s office, sign a form, hand over my driver’s license, and they scan the form and my license into their computer. Then I get the script, and get it filled. PITA for my doc and me. And it’s cost him a lot of moolah!
Why do you think I call one particular EHR suite, “Epic HyperFAIL?”
Gives me a good laugh while waiting HOURS for a doc to see me...even if it may be painful for me to do so....