Pros and Cons of EHRs: Realizing the Benefits of These Systems

Although electronic health record (EHR) systems have the potential to make healthcare more efficient and improve the quality of care, the challenges in adopting these systems can be confusing, frustrating, and costly to physicians, states an October 8, 2012, New York Times article. According to the article, some doctors complain that the currently available systems are clunky and time-consuming, designed more for bureaucrats than physicians. Beyond being difficult to use, these systems are also vulnerable to crashes, and the confusing screens can contribute to medication errors, fraudulent billing, and other negative outcomes. One report cited in the article estimates that, once fully adopted, EHR systems could contribute to as many as 60,000 adverse events a year.