Initial Entry of Knowledge-Based Information (KBI) Into the Electronic Health Record and Internal Medicine Residents' Perceptions of KBI Resources in the Record

Abstract

A teaching hospital was using a hybrid electronic health record (EHR) system with no links to point-of-care tools other than Micromedex. The librarians saw a need to integrate knowledge-based information into the institution's EHR to aid clinical decision making. The decision was made to start simply with links to a few point-of-care resources. A ticket was opened with Computer Services and the request to add links to library resources was approved. After implementation, focus groups were held with internal medicine residents regarding their perceived value of the library resources linked in the record system. Feedback was useful and served to spur further requests for additions to the EHR, which were also subsequently approved.

Keywords:

• consumer health information
• EHR
• electronic health records
• electronic resources
• focus groups
• graduate medical education
• point-of-care resources

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge Daniel Banks, MD, Chair, Department of Internal Medicine; Larry Slay, MD, Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program; and Balaji Datti, MD, Chief Resident, Internal Medicine Residency Program, who were in these positions at the time of the study, for their input on and cooperation with the focus groups.