AMA wants doctor input on EHRs, meaningful use

(HealthDay)—The American Medical Association (AMA) is encouraging clinicians to share their perspectives on electronic heath records (EHRs) and the meaningful use program.

Although more than 80 percent of physicians have implemented some form of EHR system, most are not getting what they expected from the technology, according to a viewpost issued by the AMA's president, Steven Stack, M.D. The tools were expected to help facilitate patient engagement, reduce administrative burdens, and promote data exchange. However, those things have not happened, and physicians are burdened by these systems.

A top priority for the AMA, according to Stack, is ensuring that patient clinical needs and those of clinicians are given more importance than meeting federal requirements. EHRs are a major driver of physician dissatisfaction and, as a result, eight priorities have been created for making EHRs usable. The government seems poised to realign government reporting programs, including meaningful use, without addressing problematic issues. Stories about EHR experiences and their impact on practice and patient care should be shared.

"Please visit breaktheredtape.org to watch the town hall meeting, share your stories about EHRs and meaningful use, and contact your members of Congress," Stack writes. "Help us get the government to listen."