Enhancing EMR Adoption Among Senior Providers
Date Published
Introduction
Adopting new technologies like EMRs can be challenging, especially for seasoned providers who are used to paper records or older systems. A large clinic approached us with concerns that some senior physicians were struggling to adapt to their new Epic system.
The Challenge
Despite previous group training sessions, several senior providers were not fully utilizing the EMR system. They were frustrated, slower in documentation, and resistant to change, impacting patient throughput and team efficiency.
Our Resolution
We implemented personalized one-on-one training sessions focusing on each provider's specialty. We simplified their documentation templates, incorporated SmartPhrases, and assigned a superuser mentor they could turn to for ongoing support.
Conclusion
After a month, those providers felt empowered and more confident using the system. Resistance dropped significantly, and documentation times improved across the board.
Key Benefits
• Increased EMR adoption and satisfaction
• Faster documentation and improved efficiency
• Stronger collaboration between providers and IT
• Reduced training frustration
• More consistent and complete documentation
High nurse turnover is a challenge faced by many healthcare facilities, but rural hospitals often feel the impact more acutely. A lack of resources, limited professional development, and isolation can all contribute to retention issues.
While the Epic system was functioning properly, it hadn’t been optimized for the hospital’s workflows. Providers were navigating cumbersome documentation, unnecessary clicks, and inefficient templates, leading to frustration and extended hours.