Implementing computers in ambulatory care: implications of physician practice patterns for system design

This paper presents pre-implementation data from the internal medicine division of a large physician group practice scheduled to implement an electronic medical record (EMR). Data were gathered through short-term participant observation and interviews. Findings indicate that (1) most physicians anticipate enough benefits to be willing to use the system; (2) computers must be accessible, easy to log into, and provide for physician movement and interrupted sessions; (3) many physicians are concerned about losing eye contact with patients; (4) it is unrealistic to expect even good typists to enter their own long notes; (5) staged implementation, with order entry introduced first, may help physicians adapt gradually; and (6) training should include protected time for instructional sessions for physicians, simulated patient encounters to help physicians adapt their practice patterns, and tutors available to answer questions in the clinical setting.