Instant availability of patient records, but diminished availability of patient information: A multi-method study of GP's use of electronic patient records

Tom Christensen and Anders Grimsmo

Norwegian EHR Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, MTFS, 7489 Trondheim, Norway

author email corresponding author email

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 2008, 8:12doi:10.1186/1472-6947-8-12


Published:	28 March 2008

Abstract

Background

In spite of succesful adoption of electronic patient records (EPR) by Norwegian GPs, what constitutes the actual benefits and effects of the use of EPRs in the perspective of the GPs and patients has not been fully characterized. We wanted to study primary care physicians' use of electronic patient record (EPR) systems in terms of use of different EPR functions and the time spent on using the records, as well as the potential effects of EPR systems on the clinician-patient relationship.

Methods

A combined qualitative and quantitative study that uses data collected from focus groups, observations of primary care encounters and a questionnaire survey of a random sample of general practitioners to describe their use of EPR in primary care.

Results

The overall availability of individual patient records had improved, but the availability of the information within each EPR was not satisfactory. GPs' use of EPRs were efficient and comprehensive, but have resulted in transfer of administrative work from secretaries to physicians. We found no indications of disturbance of the clinician-patient relationship by use of computers in this study.

Conclusion

Although GPs are generally satisfied with their EPRs systems, there are still unmet needs and functionality to be covered. It is urgent to find methods that can make a better representation of information in large patient records as well as prevent EPRs from contributing to increased administrative workload of physicians.