Skeletons in the EMR Closet (Links)

Here’s a weekly round-up of articles pertaining the headache that is the state of EMR.

Most pain apps lack physician input
This quick read brings up a scary fact: over 30% of medical apps aren’t made with any input from doctors. While altruistic in nature, this just proves that not everything on the market is created equal.

Medical apps: We are approaching the tipping point
Here’s an op/ed piece from a doctor who’s fond of the influx of medical apps. His opinion is that the cream will rise to the top, and useless apps will be discarded. Most importantly, he suggests that “inefficiency economics” (where bottom line was improved by administering unnecessary tests and procedures) will not work in the future for myriad reasons—apps being one of them. It’s an interesting stance and definitely worth checking out.

Why EMR is a dirty word to many doctors
Adam Sharp pours two drinks and hands one to the elephant in the room in his piece on EMR’s biggest challenges. He makes a daring claim that EMR tech up to this point has been a tool to hand over control to third parties, and disrupt the patient-doctor relationship. It’s a bit polemic, but worth weighing in on. (On a side note, atlas.md wants to do the exact opposite—SAVE DOCTORS TIME THAT THEY CAN SPEND WITH PATIENTS.)

EMR designers: Your actions can kill
Although Jordan Grummet’s story borders on yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater, it’s worth checking out. Dependable EMRs need to have systems in place to account for downed servers. Otherwise patients in dire situations might not get the right treatment when it’s urgent.

There’s good news, though. Concierge medicine is getting an EMR overhaul with atlas.md. It’s sophisticated software built by and for direct primary care, without the insurance snares. You can sign up for a beta invitation here.