Here are three spine surgeons on how electronic medical records have altered their daily interactions with patients. Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses. Next week's question: What spine research are you currently working on?
Please send responses to Heather Linder at hlinder@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, June 26, at 5 p.m. CST.
Jeffrey Calson, MD, President, Orthopaedic and Spine Center, Newport News, Va.: Our practice has used an EMR over the past 10 years. We moved from paper records to electronic records over almost a two-year period. It was quite a task to get the information into an electronic database. The process was arduous but also pushed our practice toward a better allocation of resources from paper management to electronic management. This was also at significant expense but we have recouped that expense over the next three years with improved workflow and patient flow.
Unfortunately, we grew to rely on this system but it did not meet the current government requirements and we had to buy a new system three years ago. The transition was much easier this time as it was only a transfer of information and storage arrays which was able to be done over a weekend. There were, of course, some bumps in the road, but these have been minor. The new system does maintain our records cleanly, and we hope to recoup the finances over the next year.
Each EMR has made our jobs a bit easier and allow us to be better physicians. We are able to spend more time with patients, but it is a balance. Patients can become a bit annoyed at providers that spend most of the visit looking at the computer or typing. The EMR has allowed us to maintain better control of our patient's records which allows us to be better physicians.
Walter Eckman, MD, owner of Aurora Spine Center, Tupelo, Miss.: My practice does not use an EMR. The hospital has an EMR which has brought about significantly decreased efficiency.
Kern Singh, MD, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago: Unquestionably EMR has altered the doctor-patient relationship. More of my time is now spent charting electronically throughout the day. This increase in administrative paperwork results in a decrease in direct patient interaction. The challenges of medicine are placed upon the physician and ultimately the patient.
More Articles on Spine:
8 Defining Issues for Spine & Orthopedics Surgeons Today
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Please send responses to Heather Linder at hlinder@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, June 26, at 5 p.m. CST.
Jeffrey Calson, MD, President, Orthopaedic and Spine Center, Newport News, Va.: Our practice has used an EMR over the past 10 years. We moved from paper records to electronic records over almost a two-year period. It was quite a task to get the information into an electronic database. The process was arduous but also pushed our practice toward a better allocation of resources from paper management to electronic management. This was also at significant expense but we have recouped that expense over the next three years with improved workflow and patient flow.
Unfortunately, we grew to rely on this system but it did not meet the current government requirements and we had to buy a new system three years ago. The transition was much easier this time as it was only a transfer of information and storage arrays which was able to be done over a weekend. There were, of course, some bumps in the road, but these have been minor. The new system does maintain our records cleanly, and we hope to recoup the finances over the next year.
Each EMR has made our jobs a bit easier and allow us to be better physicians. We are able to spend more time with patients, but it is a balance. Patients can become a bit annoyed at providers that spend most of the visit looking at the computer or typing. The EMR has allowed us to maintain better control of our patient's records which allows us to be better physicians.
Walter Eckman, MD, owner of Aurora Spine Center, Tupelo, Miss.: My practice does not use an EMR. The hospital has an EMR which has brought about significantly decreased efficiency.
Kern Singh, MD, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago: Unquestionably EMR has altered the doctor-patient relationship. More of my time is now spent charting electronically throughout the day. This increase in administrative paperwork results in a decrease in direct patient interaction. The challenges of medicine are placed upon the physician and ultimately the patient.
More Articles on Spine:
8 Defining Issues for Spine & Orthopedics Surgeons Today
NASS Responds to YODA: Transparency in Spine Surgery Research Overdue
Virginia Spine Institute Houses First Robot-Guided Sacroiliac Fusion Surgery in North America