The Pros And Cons Of Electronic Medical Records

As we continue to trudge along the age of technology, more and more advancements are being made. Some good and some questionable. Such is the case with electronic medical records. An electronic medical record is a digital and portable version of what used to be considered a paper file system. However, the difference with electronic medical records versus the antiquated paper file system is that patients files can be easily accessed anywhere by physicians.
There are many pros and cons for such technology. When a new patient go to see a physican for the first time they will no doubt have to fill out an abundance of paper work. The use of electronic medical records reduces the likelihood of filling out countless paper forms due to the fact …show more content…
This is primarily due to the physican having your medical records within easy reach. Also, it allows physicians to communicate with each other about patients and share critical information on tests, previous diagnoses and other various procedures. Everyone involved in the patients care will have the patient’s history at their fingertips.
As far as finances are concerened., the use of electronic medical records will ultimately save the patient, hospitals, and insurance companies money. Think about it. Electronic medical records help reduce unnecessary repeating of tests. Likewise, it also cuts back on diagnosis time. All of this sounds wonderful right? However, there are some drawbacks to electronic medical records. One major concerns is security of private information. Many people fear that their medical records can fall into the wrong hands. This could lead to identity theft.
Consequently, data loss is also a major issue for users of electronic health records. A computer system crash could wipe out vital data that has taken years to collect. This jeopardizes the staff’s ability to ensure the continuity of care for patients. This is why a backup system is