[paula_w]

Having spent much time during the last year wih doctors, nurses, and therapists, I can't help but notice the changes in the behavior of the personnel and the visit. They have to rely on their computers for the information about us as well as enter the current visit. Computers on larger networks can sometimes be slow...this is medicare time ticking away. I truly like my oncologist and radiation doctors, who were among the first in the nation to switch to electronic health records. Here are some obervations i've noticed since the hospital with the fractured femur to now.
DETRIMENTAL TO THE VISIT:
They are on the computer during the visit. Since they don't always have time to pull you up ahead of time, they are at the mercy of the speed of the system. Therapists are typing with their backs to you as you exercise, typing what you do as you do it, or perhaps typing the last session.
They don't like them. Patients are kept waiting. They can't always find what they need.

ADVANTAGES:

They get your information out faster when it is requested.
They share your information with you in detail right off the computer. i like seeing my blood results.
its more readable
i am pretty sure doctors find information sharing easier

they will never be finished and i'm not sure about redundancy. i've filled out my medical history at least 10 times in the last few months. The doctors complain about them; don't appear to like them but it does leave a well organized file.