Sharing EHR Expertise Proves Valuable, Says FP

"Yesterday, I must say, was the high point of my vacation," wrote FP Bruce Burton, M.D., of Corydon, Ind., in a summer thank-you note to Susan Andrews, M.D.

Burton had recently returned home from a two-hour road trip to visit Andrews' paperless practice in Murfreesboro, Tenn. "I came away with some knowledge ... and inspiration," wrote Burton. "For that I am very grateful."

In a recent phone interview, Burton called himself a "theoretical" electronic health records supporter. He admitted his solo practice was totally tied to paper. He said he knew he wanted to invest in an EHR system but hadn't made the move because of economics.

"It's not that I can't afford it," Burton said. "I can't afford to make a mistake."

Burton said he went to Murfreesboro because he wanted to see a battle-tested EHR system in action in an FP's office. Andrews' practice "truly is paperless," marveled Burton. "The charts she had were in a back room, neatly stacked on the shelves. You could tell they hadn't been molested in years."

Burton read about Andrews' electronic successes on an AAFP EHR e-mail discussion list. Subscribe at http://www.aafp.org/myacademy/. Log in with your Academy ID number, then click on "My Subscriptions."

What Burton would like to see next is an AAFP listing, by location, of members like Andrews. "I'd like to know who are using what systems and if they'd be willing to share their offices and their expertise with a visitor," said Burton. The AAFP is working to make this happen.