(2009-10-10) Structured Data Gathering Crowds Out Narrative

John Shagoury, president of Nuance Healthcare, says While the HIT Policy Committee has recognized "electronically capturing data" as part of the "MeaningfulUseOfEmr" criteria, the rich nature of the physician narrative needs to be specifically identified. In order to ensure that patients' medical records do not suffer in quality, and that caregiver communication via shared notes does not lack necessary detail, electronic health records (EHR) must not be reduced to point-and-click templates alone (Structured Data). The physician Narrative should be accounted for and measured as part of quality care tracking.