Evaluating outsourcing versus in-house operations and return on investment
Bates, DW et al (2002) A Proposal for Electronic Medical Records in U.S. Primary Care J Am Med Inform Assoc ;10:1-10
This paper, developed by the National Alliance for Primary Care Informatics, a collaborative group sponsored by a number of primary care societies, argues that providers' and patients' information and decision support needs can be satisfied only if primary care providers use electronic medical records (EMRs). Although robust EMRs are now available, only about 5% of U.S. primary care providers use them. Recently, with only modest investments, Australia, New Zealand, and England have achieved major breakthroughs in implementing EMRs in primary care. Substantial benefits realizable through routine use of electronic medical records include improved quality, safety, and efficiency, along with increased ability to conduct education and research. Nevertheless, barriers to adoption exist and must be overcome. This paper is a valuabel summing up of the importanc eof EMR to medical instutions, the challenges, and how institutions can meet these challegnes.