Are you wondering whether the move to electronic medical records (EMRs) is really worth it? The debate about document scanning among healthcare professionals has grown louder over the past few years and it has been a focus of the industry for quite some time. Since the trend began about a decade ago, large medical institutions have posted their research findings and a variety of industry pundits have weighed in. As this dialogue continues, a wealth of data has been collected about the use of electronic health records.
The Pros
According to a physician and professor at Stanford University who wrote an article for Kaiser Health News, medical document scanning has become an invaluable tool for improving diagnosis and overall outcomes in patients. Instead of waiting for test results to be delivered by hand or x-ray images to be developed on film, medical professionals can immediately transmit test results to an electronic health record and share it with specialists and other caregivers.
The Cons
Despite all the recent advancements in medical document imaging, including the use of digital prescription forms, digital patient forms and digital test results, there are still some noticeable “bugs” in the system. Many patients fear the “Big Brother” aspect of electronic health records and don’t want their private medical information floating around in a digital environment. Other physicians are concerned about how digital document scanning and storage will comply with ongoing regulatory changes and increase their risk for malpractice suits and other financial burdens.
The Uncommitted
Given the variety of opinions on the topic of EMRs and medical document scanning, another variable must be considered. A clear dividing line exists between those who are “early adopters” to this process and those that would just like it to go away. The larger the medical practice, the more likely they are to recognize the benefits of going digital. Until the concerns of smaller offices are reconciled, the migration to a paperless practice might slow down.