Is technology negatively impacting diagnosis?

Some medical educators are concerned that the increase in technology use is impacting the use the physical exams in clinical settings. The decreasing ability of doctors to use a physical exam to make an accurate diagnosis is discussed in a recent post on Healthcare IT News. The value of information gleaned from real physical contact with a patient provides insight into underlying diseases or problems that can’t be gathered using technology and unfortunately is a practice that has gone by the wayside. 

Programs are being initiated to address waning physical exam skills, also referred to as “bedside medicine.” Stanford, Jefferson, and Johns Hopkins are a few of the schools employing these programs. The foundation of these programs is that these skills are an essential complement to technology and can improve the treatment of patients.  

A study on the impacts of Meaningful Use / MIPS on EHR adoption.

A new study was performed by researchers at the University of Michigan, examining the impacts that Meaningful Use / MIPS has on the adoption of EHRs. Researchers analyzed the order in which 2,794 general acute care non-federal hospitals adopted various EHR functions. They found that hospitals tend to adopt patient demographics and ancillary results first, and then adopt physician notes, clinical reminders, and guidelines last.

The results suggest that Meaningful Use / MIPS likely has an impact on the prioritization planning of EHR adoption.

Infographic explores whether Meaningful Use / MIPS is helping or hurting EHR adoption.

NueMD published an infographic this week that illustrates adoption trends and potential obstacles to successful implementation. Check out the infographic below for details.