I work in a hospital-owned internal medicine practice that will soon be transitioning from paper charts to an EMR system. I was wondering if anyone has had experience with this type of change, and if they could describe how their job was affected.

Thanks!

My largest client just went to EMR. They have decided to keep me involved and have paid for my at-home computer and are paying for my monthly at-home Internet bill. We had been on tapes, but they are now willing to go "digital" so that I no longer will have to make the trek back and forth to deliver work/tapes. That's the GOOD news. The bad news is that their doctors are doing most of the documentation themselves using "canned" entries. Lines have gone from an average of 13,000 a week to 2500-3000 a week, which basically stinks as far as my bottom line.

I am using their EMR system through a VPN they set up on my at-home computer. Not very hard to learn, and I can see why they'd like it as it interfaces with lab work, etc. Also saves them a bundle on transcription costs. The quality of the notes has really deteriorated though as the docs are not always very careful about their spelling, punctuation, and use a lot of abbreviations beyond what I think makes sense for a legal-friendly patient note. Thankfully whatever they have me add does not require my initials anywhere, so I'm not liable for the quality of the entire note.

I really think this is way of the future, however. Figured I'd best be part of the change instead of being left behind and have tried my darndest to be amenable/gracious with this change. As a result, the docs are very kind and helpful, and word of mouth has helped me with potential new client leads. So far, other practices have been calling me, and I've not had to "rustle the bushes" myself yet for new clientele. Still am a bit shaken by the drastic downturn in my "bottom line," but hope it turns around with new clientele. Wish me luck!

I really believe we as a profession have to embrace these changes and try to make a niche for ourselves with whatever new techology comes around. If we don't, we will definitely become obsolete.

If it makes you feel any better (as it does me a bit), several of these docs and the administrator insist they believe this profession is viable at some level for many years to come; that there will be always be a need for someone with superior writing, proofing, and transcribing skills. They seem to want to find a place to me to stay involved--I hope that translates into clientele elsewhere that will make up for the current loss in lines.