Electronic medical records – where to from here?

Introduction

Ninety percent of general practitioners use computers. Computers are being used by GPs for an increasingly broad range of functions. Effectively, Australia now has a national electronic medical record (EMR) based in general practice. The true benefits of having an EMR will only be realised when we move beyond the idea that it is simply information that was once recorded on paper. Electronic medical records allow multiple sources of information to come into play in the consultation. This article looks at the future of the EMR in general practice and how we can use it to improve patient care.