Physician Transformation

Recently, I was in my pediatrician’s office and I noticed staff members carrying around a mini laptop to enter the information about my child’s visit. Adopting an Electronic Health Record (EHR) is part of the requirement in achieving “meaningful use” for physician offices. Witnessing first-hand the use of such technology instead of paper is refreshing.

Being the geeky techie girl, I find it exciting to see my doctor getting “plugged in” to the 21st century. In my mind, I imagine remarkable possibilities when being able to collect data elements electronically. Benefits include being able to perform data analysis that could improve the overall care of patients, including my own family. My personal excitement inspired me to ask my pediatrician about their EHR and meaningful use. I received a “deer in the headlights” look, followed quickly by the explanation the office manager is handling that “stuff” and they just do whatever they tell them to.

This transformation in healthcare to EHR’s is the perfect time for creativity and innovation as it pertains to physician analytics. The ability to analyze a physician’s practice and patients gives us a detailed roadmap as to where we are and where we need to go for better patient outcomes. Technology is not the only piece of this transformation. The ultimate goal is to improve patient care, patient health and reduce cost.

Through powerful analytic tools, physicians can compare themselves to their peers or trend a patient’s history for improving their health. Public reporting of quality metrics by provider name is becoming the standard rather than a novelty. Through these public reporting mechanisms, you can also begin to engage patients in their care.
Although I was slightly surprised by my pediatrician’s response, I am comforted by the fact the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation is working with the North Texas Regional Extension Center (NTREC) to assist physicians in transforming their EHR data into knowledge. I look forward to the opportunity to work with physicians in transforming their practice through the ability to analyze illuminating data.