A scoping review of patients’ perception of electronic medical record implementation in the emergency department (Preprint)

Abstract

Providing a satisfactory patient experience in the hospital environment is an important component of quality, patient-centred healthcare. The Emergency Department (ED) is a unique clinical environment characterised by a high workload, high cognitive load, tight time constraints and a lack of prolonged clinician–patient relationship development. In this environment, it is often a challenge for clinicians to maintain effective patient communication, which may impact negatively upon patients’ experiences of healthcare. The increasing adoption of electronic medical records (EMR) throughout EDs is changing clinical workflows and, as such, also has the potential to impact patient perceptions of healthcare.

The purpose of this scoping review was to explore patients’ perceptions of EMR implementation in EDs nationally and internationally.

A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Examination of databases including: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Medline, Cochrane library and PsycINFO using a string of search terms around EMR and patient perception/satisfaction initially revealed 3858 articles for screening.

Only 2 studies met the inclusion criteria of examining an aspect of patient perception of EMRs in EDs. These showed mixed impacts of EMR implementation on patient experience. Broadening the frame of the scoping review to include other areas in hospitals did, however, reveal additional studies exploring patient perceptions of EMRs which can be used as a framework for further research in the ED.

We proposed further investigation into patients’ perceptions of implementation and clinician use of EMRs in EDs is essential to ensure quality patient experience of care delivery.

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