Health

Electronic Health Records Should Facilitate Better Care, but Often Don’t

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Electronic Health Records Should Facilitate Better Care, but Often Don’t
Doctors are spending more time filling out health records about their patients than they are spending with their patients. Africa Studio/Shutterstock
Richard Gunderman
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The introduction of electronic health records (EHRs) was accompanied by a great deal of fanfare. Such systems, which replace old paper-based charts in doctor’s offices and hospitals, were designed to make patient data more accurate, safer and more accessible.
It was also claimed that they would make it easier for doctors and other health professionals to monitor medical care and ensure that guidelines were followed. The federal government was so keen on EHRs that it provided financial incentives to doctors and hospitals to adopt them, totaling US$25 billion by 2016.
Richard Gunderman
Richard Gunderman
Author
Richard Gunderman, M.D., Ph.D., is Chancellor's Professor of Radiology, Pediatrics, Medical Education, Philosophy, Liberal Arts, Philanthropy, and Medical Humanities and Health Studies at Indiana University. His most recent books are “Marie Curie” and “Contagion.”
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