Abstract
Purpose: :
This study investigates patients’ perceptions of service quality under the adoption of an electronic medical record (EMR) in the ophthalmology clinic at the University of Virginia.
Methods: :
This was an IRB approved prospective study assessing patient satisfaction with EMR at the University of Virginia Department of Ophthalmology. Patients were surveyed about satisfaction, physician-patient relationship, and clinic efficiency with regards to EMR. The use of the MyChart function (allowing patient to access their own records) and e-prescribing were also assessed.
Results: :
Seventy-five patients were surveyed. The mean age was 63 years old, and the gender distribution was 53% female and 47% male. The majority (95%) of the patients noticed the implementation of the EMR system in the clinic. 41% of these patients had graduated from college and 50% were familiar with computers. 35% of patients felt that the EMR system had improved their health care. Overall Press Ganey patient satisfaction scores were unchanged after implementation of the EMR compared with before implementation. 46% agreed that the physician-patient relationship was not affected. 76% of the patients reported efficiency of the clinic improved with EMR implementation. 54% were not aware of the MyChart function. Of those who were aware, 58% felt that it was a useful feature. 48% of patients agreed that the electronic prescription function facilitated obtaining their medications.
Conclusions: :
The implementation of EMR does not appear to affect patient satisfaction during a clinical encounter. Ancillary features such as the MyChart function and electronic prescriptions are added benefits of a paperless system from the patient perspective.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: health care delivery/economics/manpower • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques