NR 512 Week 6 Discussion

NR 512 Week 6 Discussion

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-512: Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics

Prof. Name

Date

Introduction to Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

The electronic health record (EHR) is a key topic in the realm of HealthIT and has become a staple in healthcare institutions nationwide. EHRs are digital systems used for storing patient health information, and their adoption is widespread. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 80% of office-based physician practices are utilizing some form of EHR (Schaeffer, 2015). Additionally, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) reported that, as of 2014, 76% of hospitals had implemented a basic EHR system, and 97% of hospitals possessed certified EHR technology (ONC, 2015). This growing trend reflects the increasing reliance on EHRs to streamline patient care, enhance communication, and improve healthcare outcomes.

Challenges in EHR Training for Healthcare Students

With the rapid expansion of EHR systems, it has become critical for nursing and medical students to be trained in their use. However, literature indicates that there is a significant gap in the level of training provided to students in nursing and medical schools regarding EHR use. Despite the widespread adoption of EHR systems in healthcare settings, many students graduate without adequate training. As future healthcare providers, nursing students are often still taught traditional documentation methods, such as handwritten notes and paper-based records (Pobocik, 2014). Medical students, too, are not consistently trained in EHRs before entering their residency programs. Schaeffer (2015) points out that access to EHR training in medical schools is inconsistent, with each institution offering varying levels of exposure and instruction. This lack of formal training in EHR systems can result in students being ill-prepared for the digital health environment they will encounter in their professional careers.

The Importance of Incorporating EHR Training in Education Programs

The absence of comprehensive EHR training in medical and nursing education has significant implications for both students and future employers. It is essential that medical and nursing schools incorporate EHR systems and health information technology into their curricula to better prepare students for the realities of modern healthcare. Integrating EHR training into academic programs would help students make informed clinical decisions, collaborate more effectively with healthcare teams, and improve overall patient care. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) underscores the importance of informatics as a core competency for healthcare providers, and EHR systems are at the forefront of this transformation (Chung & Cho, 2017). By providing students with access to these tools early in their education, schools can ensure that graduates are capable of delivering safe, efficient, and effective patient care. As a future nurse educator, I aim to incorporate informatics into the curriculum to ensure that both students and new graduates are proficient in the use of EHRs and health information technology.

NR 512 Week 6 Discussion

Table: Comparison of EHR Adoption in Healthcare and Education

Conclusion

Incorporating electronic health records into healthcare education is crucial to ensure that future healthcare providers are adequately trained and prepared for the digital health landscape. The current lack of standardized training in nursing and medical schools can create significant gaps in student readiness for real-world healthcare settings. By implementing EHR training into academic curricula, healthcare institutions can help improve patient care, enhance communication, and ensure that future healthcare professionals are capable of making informed decisions.

References

Chung, J., & Cho, I. (2017). The need for academic electronic health record systems in nurse education. Nurse Education Today, 54, 83-88.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. (2015). Adoption of the electronic health record systems among U.S. non-federal acute care hospitals. Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/sites

NR 512 Week 6 Discussion

Pobocik, T. (2014). Using an educational electronic documentation system to help nursing students accurately identify patient data. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge, 26(1), 26-34.
Schaeffer, J. (2015). An academic approach to EHR training. For the Record, 27(5), 24-27.