Horst Herb wrote:
On Monday 30 October 2006 10:37, Greg Twyford wrote:
I think most GPs are better off hiring someone qualified to manage their
systems, and get on with doctoring, just like they do with maintaining
their car. The trouble is that no-one wants to acknowledge the inherent
costs in doing this stuff properly, not least of all government and
GP-representative organisations.
Two considerations:
1.) rural GPs have great difficulties outsourcing IT to aproperly qualified
person
2.) yes, a good service costs. IT is not a doctors core business. In fact, it
has nothing really to do with his business in any other way than a good chair
and desk. If it costs too much, why bother?
Too many GOs still use IT just for ITs sake.
In my practice, IT helps saving time and priovid a better service, and for
that I am prepared to pay a certain amount what I deem this is worth, but no
more
Horst,
I agree with what you are saying, and I'm sure support is a big issue in
the bush. Finding a good mechanic for a modern car might be too.
Regarding sensible use and business advantage, it also is about
commitment and common sense.
From our forthcoming newsletter:
[heading] Are you still ambivalent about using the computers in your practice?
A number of recent experiences have highlighted that some GPs are still
ambivalent about what they use their computers for, and don't feel fully
confident about relinquishing duplicate paper records.
There seem to be three models that practices are following:
Those that are actively minimising what records they store on paper, and may
convert paper reports, such as those from specialists that aren't available
electronically yet, to electronic format and discarding the paper originals
once the electronic version has been verified as accurate. These practices
prescribe, order tests, record notes, receive results and scan specialist
reports. Duplicate paper copies are not kept, except where they don't feel that
an electronic version is practical for them.
Those that keep some records on paper and some on computer, but there isn't an
active policy to hold duplicate records
Those that have the least trust or confidence over storing clinical records
electronically and maintain duplicate paper and electronic records for most
things. Lots of double work is often being done here, for dubious long-term
benefits.
As an example, a member who is moving to part-time practice at a medical centre
will be able to import patient information into the medical centre's computer
system with minimum effort and continue recording clinical details as before.
Notifying patients of the practice change has been facilitated by a template
for a mail-out to patients who haven't attended recently, with an attached
consent form for the transfer of medical records.
The member has been using the computer for most clinical recording for some
time, but has older paper notes on many long-term patients. In some cases,
these paper notes will have to be kept to maintain patients' records over the
required seven-year period, or longer if the patient is young.
Sorting these paper records, disposal of relevant records, and the organising
storage of those that must be kept, has proved to be a much more time consuming
task. Does the new practice want to know about this large quantity of paper?
No, not really, they are just another storage and filing headache.
Greg
--
Greg Twyford
Information Management & Technology Program Officer
Canterbury Division of General Practice
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Ph.: 02 9787 9033
Fax: 02 9787 9200
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