In today’s digital age, when technology has removed the “personal” from interpersonal communication, virtually every job description has undergone redefinition. In the medical field, the classic family physician has given way to the “digital doctor” and the trusting patient has morphed into a well-informed, discriminating “e-patient” — with ramifications for the people, the system, and the very nature of health care.
Not so very long ago the image of a doctor was of a kindly old man who had time to sit and listen to his patients’ troubles and even remember the children by name. But today that image is steadily being replaced by the picture of an overloaded young physician hidden behind his computer typing out a list of diagnostic tests. One of the major causes of this change is the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) System. In the US President Obama’s healthcare plan calls for the computerization of all medical records within five years. In Israel the majority of health care providers have already made the transition from bulky cardboard medical files to computerized records.
One major benefit of the EMR system is the ease and speed of access to crucial patient information. “EMR is tremendously important” says Dr. Yitzchak Stern a family practitioner in Tzfas Israel with over thirty years experience. “Before when everything was handwritten you could be looking for an important document — is it in the file? Yes? No? Did you actually write it? Yes? No? Now everything is there where you need it. Even something from ten years ago can be found in seconds.”
During short appointments that speedy access allows doctors to actually connect with the patient instead of hunting for elusive records. “We don’t have to ask so many questions now since all the information is at our fingertips” says Dr. Stern. “It definitely saves us time during appointments.”
Such clear records can also help the doctor determine the most appropriate treatment for the patient as they can bring up a list of past illnesses and detect patterns that may help them reach a diagnosis.
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