EMR Precharting Efficiency in Internal Medicine: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Informatics
• Clinical Workflow Optimization

Background:

• Precharting, the review of patient electronic medical records (EMR) before clinical rounds, is a fundamental skill for healthcare professionals.
• Effective precharting ensures clinicians are prepared for patient encounters, impacting care quality and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of the existing literature on precharting practices and education.
• To identify current trends, challenges, and areas for improvement in precharting within medical education.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of scholarly databases (OVID, Medscape) and grey literature using keywords related to precharting, students, and electronic health records.
• Inclusion criteria focused on English-language articles discussing precharting, with 17 articles meeting the criteria for review.

Main Results:

• The review identified a limited but growing body of literature, with most publications appearing since 2018.
• Key findings indicate a need for timely data extraction from EMRs, potential for workflow optimization, and the benefits of intensive EMR training.
• The analyzed articles encompassed various study designs, including observational, qualitative, survey-based, and training workshop reports.

Conclusions:

• The existing literature underscores the importance of precharting in medical education and clinical practice.
• There is a clear need to enhance precharting strategies, focusing on efficient EMR navigation and data utilization.
• Further research and curriculum development are recommended to optimize precharting education and its impact on patient care.