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Obstetrician/Gynecologists' Experiences with Electronic Health Record Systems: A Narrative Study
Abstract
To explore the experiences of obstetrician/gynecologists (ob/gyns) with regard to the use of electronic health record (EHR) systems in practice.
Surveys were mailed to 1,200 ob/gyns, with an overall response rate of 57.2%, 402 of whom currently use an EHR system. The survey included questions about the physicians' use of EHR systems as well as what features they found most or least helpful. In addition, a focus group of 6 practicing ob/gyns at a university-based hospital was conducted in which they were encouraged to give free responses about their experiences working with EHR systems. Responses from surveys and the focus group were analyzed for frequency by the investigators.
The majority of ob/gyns who used an EHR reported being satisfied with that system (61.4%). The most commonly reported impediments to EHR use were time needed, ineffective templates, note quality, interference with patient interactions, and expense. The most commonly cited positives were electronic medication prescription (e-scribing) capabilities, efficiency, and ease of access to notes, including legibility.
In spite of increased adoption of EHR systems, more work is needed to improve ob/gyn satisfaction with EHR systems.
... Thirteen studies focus on counterproductive work behaviour, which includes abuse, production deviance, sabotage, theft, absence, early and late arrival [61], workplace violence, verbal aggression, harassment, intimidation, threats, and bullying [76]. Only eight studies include the adaptive performance dimension; for example, some studies examine adopting electronic health record systems [77], adopting new innovations [71], creativity, or personal initiatives [59]. ...
... Besides general nurses, several studies also focus on intensive care nurses [52,85] and maternity nurses [50]. In about 26% of the studies, physicians (e.g., [42,86]), such as paediatricians [81] and gynaecologists [77], are the focus of attention. Eighteen studies investigate the job performance of other healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists [87,88], lab technicians [61], and administrative employees [72]. ...
Background
Healthcare organisations face major challenges to keep healthcare accessible and affordable. This requires them to transform and improve their performance. To do so, organisations must influence employee job performance. Therefore, it is necessary to know what the key dimensions of job performance in healthcare are and how these dimensions can be improved. This study has three aims. The first aim is to determine what key dimensions of job performance are discussed in the healthcare literature. The second aim is to determine to which professionals and healthcare organisations these dimensions of job performance pertain. The third aim is to identify factors that organisations can use to affect the dimensions of job performance in healthcare.
Methods
A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The authors searched Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Books, which resulted in the identification of 763 records. After screening 92 articles were included.
Results
The dimensions – task, contextual, and adaptative performance and counterproductive work behaviour – are reflected in the literature on job performance in healthcare. Adaptive performance and counterproductive work behaviour appear to be under-researched. The studies were conducted in different healthcare organisations and pertain to a variety of healthcare professionals. Organisations can affect job performance on the macro-, meso-, and micro-level to achieve transformation and improvement.
Conclusion
Based on more than 90 studies published in over 70 journals, the authors conclude that job performance in healthcare can be conceptualised into four dimensions: task, contextual and adaptive performance, and counterproductive work behaviour. Generally, these dimensions correspond with the dimensions discussed in the job performance literature. This implies that these dimensions can be used for further research into job performance in healthcare. Many healthcare studies on job performance focus on two dimensions: task and contextual performance. However, adaptive performance, which is of great importance in constantly changing environments, is under-researched and should be examined further in future research. This also applies to counterproductive work behaviour. To improve job performance, interventions are required on the macro-, meso-, and micro-levels, which relate to governance, leadership, and individual skills and characteristics.
... The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services mandates that all hospitals and clinical practices in the United States use an EHR for clinical documentation [8]. However, obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYN) may have difficulty with selecting an electronic health record (EHR) for their practice, as many EHRs do not have notes that address the unique aspects of the OBGYN discipline [9]. An OBGYNspecific EHR may improve accuracy and completeness of charts-especially if designed with itemized checklists [10]. ...
Postpartum visits may provide patients with an inadequate amount of counseling on postpartum depression, birth spacing, healthy eating, exercise, or changes in sexual response and emotions. We created a template in our electronic health record (EHR) with the aid of our clinical informatics department to increased adherence with recommended counseling guidelines. We retrospectively reviewed the postpartum visits of 200 patients who had a delivery and received postpartum care. Patients were seen in a resident-run clinic: 100 visits occurred prior to implementation of the template, while 100 visits occurred post-implementation with use of the template. We observed for documentation of counseling on Pap smear, birth spacing, breastfeeding, contraception, depression, gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia, and sleep/fatigue. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to describe the continuous variables. Frequency and percentage were used to describe the continuous variables. Analysis of variance compared the continuous variables. The Pearson chi-square test compared the categorical variables. In visits that occurred without use of the template, counseling was charted as low as 1.0% for birth spacing to as high as 86.0% for contraception. With use of the template, counseling was charted as 100% in all visits for each of the recommended counseling guidelines (all p < 0.001). In conclusion, an EHR template for documentation of postpartum visits is associated with resident adherence with recommended postpartum counseling guidelines. Managers in hospitals and clinical practices should consider incorporating OBGYN-specific EHR note templates to improve quality and increase adherence with recommended guidelines during postpartum visits.
... Having the clinical data stored for purposes of recognizing trends and applying data for research purposes is most ideal for providers, patients and society alike. [4][5][6] Nonetheless, recording obstetrical delivery events requires the use of screen tools which can slow the work of an obstetrician. While many events are systematically recorded in an EHR (often by nurses), only some of that specific clinical information is important to record for purposes of regulatory reporting or performing meaningful research queries. ...
A practical clinical information system used in a hospital's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is described, demonstrating its utility to automatically provide required regulatory reports and potential clinical performance improvement, in an easy-to-use way. Its use demonstrates how physician's workflow can be left unimpeded, while centralizing scribe activity to translate textually based documentation to structured data, to improve functionality within its departmental activity. The ability to easily view clinical trends from the collected data continues to demonstrate the value of structured data.
... Our EHR implementation experience was similar to that reported in other specialties [21][22][23]. Another study was conducted at our institution in the departments of Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics using the same survey as in the present study [20]. ...
Objectives:
To understand the attitudes and perceptions of ophthalmologists toward an electronic health record (EHR) system, before and after its clinical implementation.
Methods:
Ophthalmologists at a single large academic ophthalmology department were surveyed longitudinally before and after implementation of a new EHR system. The survey measured ophthalmologists' attitudes toward implementation of a new EHR. Questions focused on satisfaction, efficiency, and documentation. All attending physicians (between 56 and 61 at various time points) in the University of Michigan Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences were surveyed. We plotted positive responses to survey questions and assessed whether perceptions followed a J-curve with an initial decrease followed by an increase surpassing pre-implementation levels.
Results:
Survey responses were received from 32 (52%) ophthalmologists pre-implementation, and 28 (46%) at 3 months, 35 (57%) at 7 months, 40 (71%) at 13 months and 39 (67%) at 24 months post-implementation. After EHR implementation respondents were more likely to express concerns about their ability to create high-quality documentation (p<0.01) and the impact of an electronic health record on meaningful patient interaction (p<0.01). Physicians did not report a significant change in the amount of time spent documenting outside of regular clinical work hours (p=0.54) or on their clinic efficiency and workflow (p=0.97). There was no significant change in overall job satisfaction during the study period (p=0.69). We did not observe a J-curve for any of the survey responses analyzed.
Conclusions:
As ophthalmology practices continue to transition to EHRs, adapting them to their specific culture and needs is important to maintain efficiency and user satisfaction. This study identifies areas of concern to ophthalmologists that may be addressed through education of physicians and customization of software as other practices move forward with EHR implementation.
Anger is an emotional state that occurs when unexpected things happen to or around oneself and is "an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage." It is defined as "a strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism," an emotion characterized by tension and hostility arising from frustration, real or imagined injury by another, or perceived injustice. It can manifest itself in behaviors designed to remove the object of the anger (e.g., determined action) or behaviors designed merely to express the emotion. For the Roman philosopher Seneca anger is not an uncontrollable, impulsive, or instinctive reaction. It is, rather, the cognitive assent that such initial reactions to the offending action or words are in fact unjustified. It is, rather, the cognitive assent that such initial reactions to the offending action or words are in fact unjustified. It seems that the year 2022 was a year when many Americans were plainly angry. "Why is everyone so angry?" the New York Times asked in the article "The Year We Lost It." We believe that Seneca is correct in that anger is unacceptable. Anger is a negative emotion that must be controlled, and Seneca provides us with the tools to avoid and destroy anger. Health care professionals will be more effective, content, and happier if they learn more about Seneca's writings about anger and implement his wisdom on anger from over 2000 years ago.
Aim background
Many health care services are implementing or planning to undergo digital transformation to keep pace with increasing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) functionality. The aim of this study was to objectively measure nursing care delivery before and following introduction of an EMR.
Design and methods
An extensive program of work to expand an EMR across our health service using a ‘big bang’ methodology was undertaken. The program incorporated digital care delivery workflows including physiological observations, clinical notes and closed loop medication management. The validated Work Observation Method by Activity Timing (WOMBAT) method was applied to undertake a direct observational time and motion study of nurses’ work in a major Australian hospital immediately prior to and six months following the introduction of a full clinical EMR.
Results
Time and motion results were from observing approximately one week of nursing time pre (paper) to six months post (EMR) implementation. A non-significant 6.4% increase in the proportion of time spent on direct care was observed when using the EMR with a statistically significant increase in mean time per direct care task (2.5 min vs 3.9 min, p = 0.001). The proportion of time spent on medication-related activities did not significantly change although the average time per task rose from 2.0 to 2.9 min (p = 0.008). A significant reduction in proportion of time spent in transit and indirect care tasks when using the electronic workflows was reported. No statistically significant changes to the proportions of time spent on professional communication, direct care or documentation were observed.
Conclusions
Successful EMR implementation is possible without adversely affecting allocation of nursing time. Our findings from deploying a large scale EMR across all healthcare craft groups and workflows have described for nurses that an EMR enables them to spend longer with patients per direct care episode and use their time on other activities more effectively.
Implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) has historically been lower among obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) than many physician groups. This study described ob-gyns' adoption and use of EHR systems in practice, as well as barriers and benefits to implementation. Surveys asking about the physicians' use of EHR, satisfaction with systems, and what features they found most or least helpful were mailed to 1,200 ob-gyns. An overall response rate of 57.4% was achieved, with 559 returning completed surveys. Over three-quarters of responders reported that they used an EHR system or planned to implement one. Physicians without EHR tended to be older, were more likely to be male, have a solo practice, and describe themselves as Asian/Pacific Islander. Over 63% of those physicians who use EHR reported being satisfied with their system, while 30.8% were not satisfied. Ob-gyns who reported satisfaction had a younger mean age (M = 52.98, SD = 8.87) than those not satisfied (M = 56.30, SD = 8.59; p = .002). Use of EHR systems among ob-gyns has increased in recent years and overall satisfaction with these systems is high. In spite of this, barriers to implementation are still present and increased outreach to certain groups of ob-gyns, including older practitioners and those in solo practices, is needed.
Several countries are implementing a national electronic patient record (n-EPR). Despite the assumed positive effects of n-EPRs on the efficiency, continuity, safety and quality of care, their overall adoption remains low and meets resistance from involved parties. The implementation of the Dutch n-EPR also raised considerable controversy, which eventually caused the Dutch government to stop its contribution to the national infrastructure.
To explain Dutch health care providers' reluctance in adopting the n-EPR, we investigated their perceptions of problems associated with the n-EPR and their legal position regarding then-EPR. We hereby aim to provide suggestions about approaches that could promote successful implementation.
The study consisted of two parts. The empirical part of the study was conducted in three health care settings: acute care, diabetes care, and ambulatory mental health care. Two health care organisations were included per setting. Between January and June 2010, 17 stakeholders working in these organisations were interviewed to investigate health care providers' perceptions of problems associated with the n-EPR. In the legal part of the study, legal documents were analysed to study health care providers' legal position regarding the n-EPR and any associated problems.
The respondents expressed concerns about the confidentiality and safety of information exchange and the reliability and quality of patient data in the n-EPR, and indicated that their liability in case of medical errors was not sufficiently clear. The perceived problems could partly be attributed to legal uncertainties.
It is recommended to start the implementation of an n-EPR in limited geographical areas. This will allow health care providers to experience benefits of electronic information exchange before being asked to participate in information exchange at a larger scale. The problems that health care providers perceive in the n-EPR should be minimised. Legislation underlying the n-EPR should provide sufficient clarity about health care professionals' responsibilities and liabilities.
Objective:
To observe the effect of electronic medical record (EMR) system sophistication on preventive women's healthcare.
Materials and methods:
Providers in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), 2007-8, were included if they had at least one visit by a woman at least 21 years old. Based on 16 questions from NAMCS, the level of a provider's EMR system sophistication was classified as non-existent, minimal, basic, or fully functional. A two-stage residual-inclusion method was used with ordered probit regression to model the level of EMR system sophistication, and outcome-specific Poisson regressions to predict the number of examinations or tests ordered or performed.
Results:
Across the providers, 29.23%, 49.34%, 15.97%, and 5.46% had no, minimal, basic, and fully functional EMR systems, respectively. The breast examination rate was 20.27%, 34.96%, 37.21%, and 44.98% for providers without or with minimal, basic, and fully functional EMR systems, respectively. For breast examinations, pelvic examinations, Pap tests, chlamydia tests, cholesterol tests, mammograms, and bone mineral density (BMD) tests, an EMR system increased the number of these tests and examinations. Furthermore, the level of sophistication increased the number of breast examinations and Pap, chlamydia, cholesterol, and BMD tests.
Discussion:
The use of advanced EMR systems in obstetrics and gynecology was limited. Given the positive results of this study, specialists in women's health should consider investing in more sophisticated systems.
Conclusions:
The presence of an EMR system has a positive impact on preventive women's healthcare; the more functions that the system has, the greater the number of examinations and tests given or prescribed.
The adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) in ambulatory settings has been widely recommended. It is hoped that EMRs will improve care; however, little is known about the effect of EMR use on care quality in this setting. This study compares EMR versus paper medical record documentation of basic health history and preventive service indicators in 47 community-based practices. Differences in practice-level documentation rates between practices that did and did not use an EMR were examined using the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test and robust regression, adjusting for practice-level covariates. Frequency of documentation of health history and preventive service indicator items were similar in the 2 groups of practices. Although EMRs provide the capacity for more robust record keeping, the community-based practices here do not use EMRs to their full capacity. EMR usage does not guarantee more systematic record keeping and thus may not lead to improved quality in the community practice setting.
Rather than turn a practice upside-down with a "big bang" implementation or replace old workflows with entirely new ones, executives must survey and understand those clinical areas where the needs are real and the value of an electronic medical record to clinicians is immediate and obvious. For these and other reasons, obstetrics may be the best place to test an electronic medical record.
Implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) has historically been lower among obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) than many physician groups. This study described ob-gyns' adoption and use of EHR systems in practice, as well as barriers and benefits to implementation. Surveys asking about the physicians' use of EHR, satisfaction with systems, and what features they found most or least helpful were mailed to 1,200 ob-gyns. An overall response rate of 57.4% was achieved, with 559 returning completed surveys. Over three-quarters of responders reported that they used an EHR system or planned to implement one. Physicians without EHR tended to be older, were more likely to be male, have a solo practice, and describe themselves as Asian/Pacific Islander. Over 63% of those physicians who use EHR reported being satisfied with their system, while 30.8% were not satisfied. Ob-gyns who reported satisfaction had a younger mean age (M = 52.98, SD = 8.87) than those not satisfied (M = 56.30, SD = 8.59; p = .002). Use of EHR systems among ob-gyns has increased in recent years and overall satisfaction with these systems is high. In spite of this, barriers to implementation are still present and increased outreach to certain groups of ob-gyns, including older practitioners and those in solo practices, is needed.
Key findings:
In 2013, 78% of office-based physicians used any type of electronic health record (EHR) system, up from 18% in 2001. In 2013, 48% of office-based physicians reported having a system that met the criteria for a basic system, up from 11% in 2006. The percentage of physicians with basic systems by state ranged from 21% in New Jersey to 83% in North Dakota. In 2013, 69% of office-based physicians reported that they intended to participate (i.e., they planned to apply or already had applied) in "meaningful use" incentives. About 13% of all office-based physicians reported that they both intended to participate in meaningful use incentives and had EHR systems with the capabilities to support 14 of the Stage 2 Core Set objectives for meaningful use. From 2010 (the earliest year that trend data are available) to 2013, physician adoption of EHRs able to support various Stage 2 meaningful use objectives increased significantly. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009 authorized incentive payments to increase physician adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems (1,2). The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs are staged in three steps, with increasing requirements for participation. To receive an EHR incentive payment, physicians must show that they are "meaningfully using" certified EHRs by meeting certain objectives (3,4). This report describes trends in the adoption of EHR systems from 2001 through 2013, as well as physicians' intent to participate in the EHR Incentive Programs and their readiness to meet 14 of the Stage 2 Core Set objectives for meaningful use in 2013.
By 2011 more than half of all office-based physicians were using electronic health record systems, but only about one-third of those physicians had systems with basic features such as the abilities to record information on patient demographics, view laboratory and imaging results, maintain problem lists, compile clinical notes, or manage computerized prescription ordering. Basic features are considered important to realize the potential of these systems to improve health care. We found that although trends in adoption of electronic health record systems across geographic regions converged from 2002 through 2011, adoption continued to lag for non-primary care specialists, physicians age fifty-five and older, and physicians in small (1-2 providers) and physician-owned practices. Federal policies are specifically aimed at encouraging primary care providers and small practices to achieve widespread use of electronic health records. To achieve their nationwide adoption, federal policies may also have to focus on encouraging adoption among non-primary care specialists, as well as addressing persistent gaps in the use of electronic record systems by practice size, physician age, and ownership status.
The Primary Care Information Project is a New York City initiative aimed at improving population health through the improved delivery of preventive care. It has assisted with the adoption of a fully functional electronic health record (EHR) in over 300 primary care practices. Practices with EHRs automatically transmit summary data that can be used to track population health indicators for recommended preventive care. Early analysis, focusing on small practices with fewer than 10 providers serving Medicaid and uninsured populations, showed increases in the delivery of recommended services of 0.1-2.4% per month (p ≤ 0.05). However, measurement of preventive care across this population is limited by some inconsistency of data transmission. This study shows that EHRs can be used to track the delivery of recommended preventive care across small primary care practices serving lower income communities in which few data are generally available for assessing population health.
There is growing recognition of the importance and potential benefit of information technology and electronic medical records in providing quality care for women. Incorporation of obstetrician-gynecologist-specific requirements by electronic medical record vendors is essential to achieve appropriate electronic medical record functionality for obstetrician-gynecologists. Obstetricians and gynecologists record and document patient care in ways that are unique to medicine. Current electronic medical record systems are often limited in their usefulness for the practice of obstetrics and gynecology because of the absence of obstetrician-gynecologist specialty-specific requirements and functions. The Certification Commission on Health Information Technology is currently the only federally recognized body for certification of electronic medical record systems. As Certification Commission on Health Information Technology expands the certification criteria for electronic medical records, the special requirements identified in this report will be used as a framework for developing obstetrician-gynecologist specialty-specific criteria to be incorporated into the Certification Commission on Health Information Technology endorsement for electronic medical records used by obstetrician-gynecologists.