Patient experiences with electronic medical records: lessons learned

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Patient-Provider Communication
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Effective patient-provider communication is crucial for optimal clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• The transition from paper health records (PHRs) to electronic health records (EHRs) impacts the dynamics of patient-provider interactions within examination rooms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patients' lived experiences communicating with healthcare providers during the use of both PHRs and EHRs.
• To identify communication issues and patient preferences related to EHR implementation in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative, phenomenological study design.
• Conducted audio-taped focus group interviews with 21 patients at a diabetes clinic.
• Included patients who had visits before and after EHR implementation.

Main Results:

• Four major themes emerged: communication issues, patient preferences for electronic records, safety and security concerns, and EHR implementation transition problems.
• Patients reported varied experiences with communication depending on the type of health record used.
• Identified specific challenges and benefits associated with EHRs from the patient perspective.

Conclusions:

• EHR implementation presents both challenges and opportunities for patient-provider communication.
• Addressing communication issues and patient preferences during EHR transitions can enhance satisfaction.
• Recommendations for nurse practitioners focus on optimizing EHR use for improved communication and satisfaction.