1. Internship Abstract
Title: Assessment of Electronic Medical Record System effects on Health Care setting
Name: Ratheesh Asokan
Preceptors: Joseph Beacher M.D.
Agency: Beacher MedicalClinic
Purpose: To analyze the effects and results of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems
implementation within a medical clinic setting and identify best practices for future implementations.
Significance: Electronic medical record (EMR) systems implemented correctly within a healthcare
clinic/institution setting can result in effective and effortless availability of patient medical record
information, continuation of care,and quality of care. The significance of this study is to produce
quantifiable results that illustrate the benefits and drawbacks of future EMR systems implementations.
Method/Approach: A prospective survey was conducted on the implementation of PracticeFusion
electronic medical record system within Beacher Medical Clinic over a one month period. The pre EMR
implementation survey was completed by 32 new/returning patients, who were scheduled for a follow up
appointment within the one month period. The survey asks patients to rate their satisfaction regarding
quality of medical care,accessibility of patient medical information, quality of medical clinic visit, time
spent during patient visit, and billing .
Outcome:The complete sample size cohort (n=32) new patients. Seven patients (~23%) reported a 5
(very satisfied) rating, 18 patients (56%) reported a 4 (satisfied) rating, 5 patients (15%) reported a 3
(neutral) rating, 2 patients (6%) reported a 2 (dissatisfied) rating. One of the questions of interest during
the survey was to rate satisfaction of time spent during clinic visit. The results indicated 16 patients (50%)
reporting a 5 (very satisfied rating, 14 patients (~44%) reported a 4 (satisfied rating), 2 patients (6%)
indicated a 3(neutral) rating.
Evaluation/Conclusion: It is evident that after a Electronic Medical record system was implemented, the
clinic became more efficient in terms of patient care-time management. There was about a 27% increase
from the 23% of patients during the preimplantation survey, reporting to have had a very satisfied with
the amount of time they spent during their appointment. Along with that, there was a 9% decrease in the
post EMR imputations surveys from the 15% of patients in the pre EMR implementation survey reporting
a neutral experience relating to their time spent during their appointment. These results are significant
because it portray that Electronic Medical records systems do produce benefits in terms of medical
clinic/institution time and patient care management efficiency and patient satisfaction.