Yesterday Twitter carried a query from a Vox journalist about doctors and fax machines. Why do we use them? The response by the health infosphere was predictable: Why can't doctors just get with the program? And why are they so behind the times? It's not that complicated. And it's not because we don't read Wired. Just the fax EHRs don't talk to one another. We ... Continue Reading about Fax Machines: Why Doctors Use Them
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The Illusion of Empowerment
As reported by Politico, Epic CEO Judy Faulkner found herself in hot water when she told Joe Biden that, irrespective of access, he wouldn't understand his medical record. The social health infosphere was outraged. My take: Judy was wrong to imply that Joe shouldn't have access to his stuff. Judy was right to suggest that a chunk of Joe's stuff is beyond what he ... Continue Reading about The Illusion of Empowerment
Medicine’s Exponential Future and Past
Within a week two tweets showed how doctors see medicine: one predicted that doctors would soon be obsolete and the other linked to a study reporting the ‘resurrection of physical exam.’ If you listen to doctors and their conversations you’ll find two polarizing views reflected in these tweets. There are those who see a brilliant future with technology and others ... Continue Reading about Medicine’s Exponential Future and Past
The Exam Room Entrance
It used to be that the paper chart was found on the exam room door. Before I entered I’d flip to my last visit, review my impression, check the plan and then enter. Then records went electronic. Now there’s nothing on the door. This has lead to an interesting evolution in my process. Now after a moment of reflection, I just walk in. But that’s not a ... Continue Reading about The Exam Room Entrance
Progress
Checking out of a hotel last week I stood in line as the clerk offered directions by telephone to an incoming guest. As the line grew longer and as the conversation dragged, the clerk suggested what we were all thinking: map it, buddy. We all work with folks who always want it the old way. No matter what. Through their lens nothing should ever change since, of ... Continue Reading about Progress
The SmartPhrase as Medicine’s Old Technology
I’ve been thinking about SmartPhrases recently. For the uninformed, the SmartPhrase is a pre-fabricated bit of clinical language used in EHR documentation. We use SmartPhrases to enter frequently used language. It makes life in front of an EHR (EPIC specifically) easier. The SmartPhrase has evolved as the elemental unit of the electronic health record. These ... Continue Reading about The SmartPhrase as Medicine’s Old Technology