Doctors face a challenge with electronic medical records

The New York Times recently published an article looking at a challenge many individuals never think of when it comes to electronic medical records. While they may provide an edge when it comes to collecting superior data, many doctors are finding it challenging use electronic medical records while in the exam room with the patient.

As the doctor in the article descried:
The new computer was perched atop a desk in one corner of the room; the patient sat on the exam table on the other side of the room. In order to use the computer, I had to turn my back to the patient as I spoke to him.

The author of the article goes on to say that a compensation can be found in collecting great data with EMR and collecting the little details that come from the patient-doctor relationship. A fine balance must be found, though.

What do you think? Can many doctors overcome the challenge that having a computer in the exam room?

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Sam's Club Packages Electronic Medical Records Software

This article in Reuters discusses how Wal-mart's Sam's Club stores will begin selling packages including software and Dell computers directly to doctors for electronic medical records. Susan Koehler, a Sam Club spokeswoman, mentions that they are trying to help smaller practice doctors with the software and hardware needed to access medical records at an affordable cost.

Wal-mart already offers walk-in medical clinics, and this according to Susan is part of how they got the idea of offering electronic health packages. The package, which includes help with training, installation, and maintenance will cost the first doctor in a practice roughly $25,000 with each additional user costing around $10,000.

This all comes at a time when President Barack Obama is pushing electronic medical records as a way to cut healthcare costs, increase efficiency, and reduce errors. IBM already offers such software, it will be interesting to see the companies that will soon follow suit.

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