EHR 101 - Introduction to Electronic Health Records

Tutorial Content

Overview of the EHR -- An overview of EHR technology, including discussion points and terms to be familiar with.

Basic Terminology -- A list of the most common terms used when discussing EHR technology and implementation.

Potential Benefits of an EHR -- Benefits of an EHR can include not only productivity and financial improvements but also improved quality of care and enhanced job satisfaction.

Homework

EMR E-mail Discussion List -- This very active discussion list features AAFP members with various EHR software discussing their selection, implementation, use, and other issues surrounding practice redesign.

Related Reading

Data Collection Equals Quality Improvement -- FPReport, December 2004 -- "'The reason some physicians don't understand how to evaluate their quality of care is because they have paper charts and don't know what level of care they currently provide," said Lori Dickerson, Pharm.D., associate professor and assistant residency program director at Trident Family Medicine Residency Program in Charleston, S.C."

Health IT Dream Requires Vision, Saves Costs Over Time -- FPReport, December 2004 -- "Trident Family Medicine Residency Program's love affair with computerized records goes back to the program's roots."

Residents Hold Key to Future -- AAFP News Now, December 1, 2004 -- "If you want a glimpse of where family medicine is headed in the not-so-distant future, hang out with the next generation of FPs for a day."

Watch for Residency Graduates' Ripple Effect -- FPReport, December 2004 -- "According to AAFP data, nearly 30 percent of family medicine residencies are using some form of electronic health record. There's much work ahead to meet the Future of Family Medicine recommendation that every family medicine residency implement an EHR system by the end of 2006."