EMRs for mental health?
I’ve been wondering, has anyone in mental health truly had success with an EMR? I can’t imagine any psychotherapist sitting at a computer typing notes while there’s a patient on the couch. That would be particularly bad for a patient with self-esteem issues.
I imagine that tablets like the iPad may make this a little easier, but what psychotherapists really need is something like a pen tablet (with a stylus rather than touch-screen) or digital ink to mimic taking notes on a pad of paper.
The other issue related to EMRs in mental health is the exchange of notes with other physicians. Will an electronic note from therapist back to the primary care physician wind up in the electronic chart that might get sent, say, to an orthopedist or gastroenterologist? The only thing other specialists really would need to know is the patient’s medication list, not a psychiatric diagnosis or treatment history, right? Segmenting out sensitive parts of an EMR like treatment for mental health and sexually transmitted diseases is something vendors and CIOs have struggled with for years, and I believe continue to struggle with.
In both cases, I’d love to hear your anecdotes here.
In my opinion a psychotherapist should have a tablet, ipad. To me I do not feel that is any different than a pen and paper. Electronic submissions are better in my veiw. No double entry, therefore eliminating errors.
Marie Conrad
Definitely EMRs for psychotherapy notes–just think about the veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq–those notes need to follow these men and women who’ve experienced and have seen scenarios humans aren’t equipped to deal with on a daily basis. These folks are returning to families and civilian life and absolutely need treatment to make that transition.
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