What is The Future of Electronic Medical Records

Updated on May 19, 2021

Like any other industry in 2021, digitalization is well and truly in effect in the world of health care. In particular, electronic medical records have transformed the way a patient’s records are processed. Electronic medical records have had a big impact on the daily workings of health care operations; however, there is a consensus that this type of technology is still in its infancy. The future of electronic medical records is bright and promising.

Setting the Stage for Future Advancements

Before jumping into the future of electronic medical records, it is first necessary to take some time to describe the current situation. Research from Stanford Medicine has found that 59% of physicians believe that the electronic medical records system currently used is in need of significant changes. The professional marketplace is ready for advancements in the electronic medical records field, but so too is the consumer market, with the majority of patients booking their appointments online and searching for relevant medical information over the internet.

Electronic medical records have come a long way since they were first introduced back in the 1980s, but this technology still has a long way to go. There is reason to believe that the next few years will see the biggest advancements ever made in the field of electronic medical records.

Increased Accessibility

One of the biggest trends for the future of electronic medical records is accessibility. The trend for accessibility is set to impact both the way that medical records are accessed and by whom. One of the biggest reasons why electronic medical records are not being adopted more universally across health care facilities is their price. The high price tag means that EMRs are only a viable solution for larger hospitals for practices that can access government support. It is not only the upfront cost that makes ERMs an investment but loss in productivity that results when staff has to learn the new system. The trend for increased accessibility will impact the lead to increased adoption of electronic medical records across the health care industry.

Integrations

Electronic medical records are still somewhat unsophisticated because the EMRs have not been programmed to function with other health care technologies. This means that staff has to spend time manually updating records. Increasing the possibilities for integrations will help to increase productivity rates in health care institutions. Medical device market research is still ongoing. However, there is a sense that, in the future, medical technology like EMRs and medical devices will be integrated. 

Usability

Electronic medical records are currently difficult to use. In fact, research shows that there is little positivity surrounding the user experience with this type of technology at all. It is expected that in the coming future, more attention will focus on the usability of this technology. This will make ERMs easier to navigate and much more functional.

One suggestion for increasing the usability of electronic medical records is through increased standardization. Unfortunately, there are currently very few standards for electronic medical records, which means that there is little standardization across different systems. Increasing standardization will not only improve ease of use across the board, but it works to create a system where patient data is better protected.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.