Medical Students' Training in EHRs Inadequate
Medical school students are using electronic health records
at a higher rate than practicing physicians, but education is lacking. Without
guidelines, physicians face significant roadblocks to adoption, according to
two companion studies published in Teaching and Learning in Medicine.
In the first study, researchers from the Alliance for Clinical Education found that 64
percent of the medical school programs allowed students to use their EHRs, but
only two thirds of those allowed the students to write notes in them. They were
further stymied by the mechanics involved in the use of EHRs.
"Previously, students were just able to pick up a
physical patient chart. Now they need permission to use hospital computers and
passwords to access the EHR. There also are concerns surrounding Medicare rules
about physicians using trainees' findings in the [EHR]," lead author Maya Hammoud, Associate Professor
of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University
Michigan Medical
School said in a
statement.
In a related study, the Alliance, which works to enhance the
education of medical students, expressed concern that limitations on medical
student training in EHRs will adversely affect their overall education. The
organization proposed that medical schools follow practice guidelines in
training students to use EHRs, including required documentation in the systems,
review of their notes, the opportunity to practice order entry in an EHR,
exposure to clinical decision support tools, and development of competences
related to EHR charting.
Inadequate EHR training has long been a barrier to
successful EHR adoption, overwhelming and frustrating clinicians. Enhanced
training of medical students in EHRs as a part of their medical school
education would likely improve their competence and acceptance of EHR use as a
tool.
Source: http://www.fierceemr.com/story/medical-students-training-ehrs-inadequate/2012-08-15
Tags: EMR | Claimat EMR | Electronic Medical Records
