Implementation of an electronic health records system within an interprofessional model of care

Abstract

Implementation of electronic health records (EHR) systems is challenging even in traditional healthcare settings, where administrative and clinical roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. However, even in these traditional settings the conflicting needs of stakeholders can trigger hierarchical decision-making processes that reflect the traditional power structures in healthcare today. These traditional processes are not structured to allow for incorporation of new patient-care models such as patient-centered care and interprofessional teams. New processes for EHR implementation and evaluation will be required as healthcare shifts to a patient-centered model that includes patients, families, multiple agencies, and interprofessional teams in short- and long-term clinical decision-making. This new model will be enabled by healthcare information technology and defined by information flow, workflow, and communication needs. We describe a model in development for the configuration and implementation of an EHR system in an interprofessional, interagency, free-clinic setting. The model uses a formative evaluation process that is rooted in usability to configure the EHR to fully support the needs of the variety of providers working as an interprofessional team. For this model to succeed, it must include informaticists as equal and essential members of the healthcare team.

• Electronic health record
• healthcare informatics
• healthcare team
• interprofessional care
• interprofessional healthcare team
• interprofessional practice

Acknowledgements

Editorial assistance was provided by Jennifer S. Frank, PhD.

Declaration of interest

Dr. Frank, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, is the Program Director for the HRSA grant that funded this work. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors were responsible for the writing and content of this article. This work is funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) award (UD7HP25047).