Digital Health Needs To Be More Than Just Digital Data

This last week – the widely read Dr. Rob Lamberts lamented the usability of his Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software for his new primary care practice. It's worth reading (here) as it highlights the larger systemic problem of EMR software generally and then specifically as EMR software is overlaid onto a new payment model. In Dr. Lamberts case, a software solution – one that was built specifically around billing mechanics (namely ICD-9 and CPT "codes") – was overlaid onto a new practice model that bills patients a flat monthly fee for "all-they-can eat" primary health care. Almost all EMR/EHR software has been purpose-built to support billing as the primary function. Clinical data capture is the secondary objective – and the EMR/EHR software vendor landscape is 100% reflective of that priority (as is the entire system). At last count, there were over 600 EHR "vendors" and over 300 that had reported at least one doctor or practice that "attested" to "meaningful use" with their software (a requirement for HITECH Act payment). To date, we've spent over $10B on "digitizing" health records. I'm struggling to find the right analogy, but I imagine the effect Dr. Lamberts (and others) are feeling is similar to putting a V-8 engine onto a bicycle. Yes, you could (conceivably) engineer that solution – but why would you – and then why would you expect any ...
Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News - Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Source Type: news