The research specifically focused on referrals by primary care physicians to specialists and communications from the specialists back to the referring physician. Their study of the Veterans Health Administration showed EHRs demonstrate benefits over paper workarounds, including legibility of patient data and decreased likelihood of misplaced information. However, EHRs also demonstrated automated communications between primary care physicians and specialists sometimes led to reduced contact or breakdowns in communication.
Read the news release about EHR challenges.
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