Physician Experience with Electronic Order Sets

Electronic medical record (EMR) and electronic health record (EHR) are used interchangeably to describe a computerized medical information system that collects, stores and displays patient information (Boonstra and Broekhuis 2010). Blumenthal and Tavenner (2010) suggested that computerized medical implementation improves decision-making and patient management. As part of its EMR, Humber River Hospital has implemented electronic order sets (EOSs) by building them into the computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system. Electronic prescribing renders paper prescriptions obsolete as it reduces errors; increases accuracy; and enhances efficiency, compliance and record-keeping (Canada Health Infoway 2017).

The aim of this research was to explore physicians' perspectives and experiences using EOSs.

This qualitative study examined the perceptions of various physicians on the impact of EOSs. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with eligible physicians. Domains explored included usability, efficiency, safety and implications for the physician profession.

Major themes that emerged included usability, efficiency and safety. Several implications for physician practice were also revealed.

The findings from our study support previous studies that describe the benefits of EOSs, including ease of use and efficiency, real-time information that is evidence-based, increased safety and minimization of memory burden. EOSs were not perceived to be a replacement for clinical reasoning.