Getting started: Reply to Condon et al. (2017) and Rossiter (2017)

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Psychosocial Health
• Electronic Health Records

Background:

• Concerns exist regarding the recommended psychosocial vital signs for electronic health records (EHRs).
• Previous research suggests a need for either a broader range of measures or a consensus-based optimal set.
• Current EHR implementations require a practical, actionable set of psychosocial measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify a core set of psychosocial vital signs for immediate implementation in all EHRs.
• To prioritize measures based on their clinical usefulness and low implementation burden.
• To establish a foundation for future expansion and modification of psychosocial measures in EHRs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and expert consultation to assess existing recommendations.
• Analysis of potential psychosocial measures for utility and feasibility in EHR systems.
• Development of a consensus-driven core set of measures.

Main Results:

• A core set of psychosocial vital signs has been identified for universal EHR adoption.
• The selected measures balance clinical relevance with practical considerations for healthcare providers.
• The proposed set is designed for current utility, with anticipated future enhancements.

Conclusions:

• A foundational set of psychosocial vital signs is recommended for immediate integration into EHRs.
• This core set addresses current needs for usefulness and low burden.
• Future iterations will incorporate new evidence and stakeholder feedback for enhanced psychosocial care documentation.