Many of these vendors are hitting physicians with the hard sell, noted Dr. Warren. “Physicians are asking, why do I have 10 vendors beating on my door saying I have to put in their product in the next twenty days, or they won’t have time for me?”
Yet many of these vendors are apparently not up to the task, if comments from the audience at the session are any indication. One physician who selected a national provider said that after six months of effort, the records supplied are still “unworkable,” the templates “impossible,” and the records received from other practices were “unreadable.” Today’s electronic records amount to “drivel,” the physician said, that did not get to the “meat of the issue—what is your assessment, what is your plan.”
The shortcomings of today’s EHRs are legion, Dr. Warren acknowledged. For example, quality measures appropriate for rheumatology have not been integrated into the systems.
But practices that want to stay ahead of the curve—and ensure the maximum financial reward from the federal government—will want to get started soon on implementing EHRs. The federal government offers low- or no-cost help to physicians through a network of health information technology regional extension centers. However, these programs are geared toward primary care physicians and rheumatology practices may not qualify for assistance, or may have to pay for the help they receive. Meanwhile, the ACR’s HIT subcommittee is designing electronic templates specific to rheumatology that can be adopted by any commercial EHR provider, Dr. Kazi said. The ACR’s HIT site, www.rheumatology.org/HIT, also provides a wealth of information for physicians seeking guidance. For example, the site provides more details on the EHR incentives and links to ratings of certified EHR vendors.
Richard Sine is a medical journalist based in Atlanta.