What do you get when you pack nearly 150 technology-hungry physicians -- and the folks who help run their offices -- into one location? Answer: A whole lot of questions.
And that was exactly the point at the Florida AFP's electronic health records workshop April 2. The chapter is serious about pulling out all the stops to help move its members toward implementing EHRs.
Why the urgency? "Because we firmly believe EHRs are part of this move to the future of family medicine, and they are fundamental to your success," said Marc Rivo, M.D., of Miami Beach in his opening remarks at the workshop. (Visit The Future of Family Medicine report to read more about the role of EHRs in the new model of care.) "It really is time that we get packing to get to this destination. I hope at the end of the day, you'll realize coming here is one of the most important things you've done," said Rivo, who chairs the FAFP practice quality management committee.
EHR Workshop Provides Push for FPs Ready to Go Electronic
By Sheri Porter
4/8/2005
According to Florida AFP President Dennis Saver, M.D., of Vero Beach, the success of the chapter's first EHR event a year ago helped spread the idea nationally. AAFP constituent chapters in Texas and Pennsylvania are planning similar events (the second for Texas), with input from the AAFP's Center for Health Information Technology.
"We want this experience to prove to be that 'aha' moment to help you move toward EHR implementation," said Saver.
Indeed, this day was all about collecting information. Early on, attendees were split into two sessions: EHR 101 for beginners and EHR 202 for the more advanced. When attendees weren't in lecture sessions, they were -- you guessed it -- rubbing elbows with the 19 EHR vendors who had set up shop in the hotel's exhibit hall.
Vance Maloney, M.D., a solo FP from Winter Park, was getting just what he came for. He wants to add a clinical component to the billing system he already has. He's narrowed his EHR vendor choices down to three, all of whom are represented at today's workshop. Maloney, just 10 years from retirement, said he thinks an EHR will still prove profitable. "I'm convinced this will be beneficial to my practice. No more of those little notes floating all over the office," he said.
He's looking for a product he can afford that will integrate his billing and clinical components and allow seamless upgrades without breaking the bank. He's also looking for relief from the two to three hours a night he currently spends on paperwork. "If the cost is right -- I wouldn't spend $60,000 -- this is the way to go," said Maloney. "It's a tough decision, but I see an EHR as a timesaver."
Ashok Sharma, M.D., a solo FP in Leesburg, is also looking for an upgrade, and he wants to shorten his workday. "Sometimes I stay up until midnight dictating notes," he said. "I'm looking for a system that will allow me to complete notes before the patient leaves."
By lunchtime, Sharma had already heard a variety of speakers, networked with colleagues and visited health IT vendors. He was feeling very encouraged. "Meetings like this give me more information than I can gather as an individual. It helps me look at pros and cons," Sharma said.
James Quinn, M.D., is part of a three-physician family medicine practice in Sanford. In his 50s, Quinn is sandwiched in between one younger and one older partner. Just beginning his EHR search, he said he and his younger colleague want an EHR. "We need to show the 'reluctant' partner why this will be beneficial," said Quinn. Quinn's timeline for adoption? "Last year," he said with a smile. "The sooner we get this done, the better off we'll be -- there's no advantage to waiting. Using an EHR has got to be easier than what we're doing now," he said.
FP Melinda Astran, M.D., of Clarmont practices at South Lake Family Health Center and currently works with nothing but paper records. However, Astran was introduced to EHRs in medical school and in her residency program, where she graduated in 2000. Her past EHR experience whetted her appetite, and at this meeting, she was shopping for the future.
"An EHR will give me the ability to provide the highest standard of care for my patients in the most effective way. I can spend more time with my patients -- nurturing the doctor-patient relationship -- and less time writing and documenting their medical records," said Astran. She is looking forward to the day when she can totally eliminate paper records.
"We want this experience to prove to be that 'aha' moment to help you move toward EHR implementation," said Saver.
Indeed, this day was all about collecting information. Early on, attendees were split into two sessions: EHR 101 for beginners and EHR 202 for the more advanced. When attendees weren't in lecture sessions, they were -- you guessed it -- rubbing elbows with the 19 EHR vendors who had set up shop in the hotel's exhibit hall.
Vance Maloney, M.D., a solo FP from Winter Park, was getting just what he came for. He wants to add a clinical component to the billing system he already has. He's narrowed his EHR vendor choices down to three, all of whom are represented at today's workshop. Maloney, just 10 years from retirement, said he thinks an EHR will still prove profitable. "I'm convinced this will be beneficial to my practice. No more of those little notes floating all over the office," he said.
He's looking for a product he can afford that will integrate his billing and clinical components and allow seamless upgrades without breaking the bank. He's also looking for relief from the two to three hours a night he currently spends on paperwork. "If the cost is right -- I wouldn't spend $60,000 -- this is the way to go," said Maloney. "It's a tough decision, but I see an EHR as a timesaver."
Ashok Sharma, M.D., a solo FP in Leesburg, is also looking for an upgrade, and he wants to shorten his workday. "Sometimes I stay up until midnight dictating notes," he said. "I'm looking for a system that will allow me to complete notes before the patient leaves."
By lunchtime, Sharma had already heard a variety of speakers, networked with colleagues and visited health IT vendors. He was feeling very encouraged. "Meetings like this give me more information than I can gather as an individual. It helps me look at pros and cons," Sharma said.
James Quinn, M.D., is part of a three-physician family medicine practice in Sanford. In his 50s, Quinn is sandwiched in between one younger and one older partner. Just beginning his EHR search, he said he and his younger colleague want an EHR. "We need to show the 'reluctant' partner why this will be beneficial," said Quinn. Quinn's timeline for adoption? "Last year," he said with a smile. "The sooner we get this done, the better off we'll be -- there's no advantage to waiting. Using an EHR has got to be easier than what we're doing now," he said.
FP Melinda Astran, M.D., of Clarmont practices at South Lake Family Health Center and currently works with nothing but paper records. However, Astran was introduced to EHRs in medical school and in her residency program, where she graduated in 2000. Her past EHR experience whetted her appetite, and at this meeting, she was shopping for the future.
"An EHR will give me the ability to provide the highest standard of care for my patients in the most effective way. I can spend more time with my patients -- nurturing the doctor-patient relationship -- and less time writing and documenting their medical records," said Astran. She is looking forward to the day when she can totally eliminate paper records.
