Technologies in the modern world are constantly evolving and affecting all spheres of people’s lives, including health care. The introduction of the electronic health record (EHR), a digital, computerized version of patient information on paper, is one of the significant changes. It can carry out several tasks that aid in providing medical care in line with accepted standards of clinical practice. One of its key features is the ability of all authorized medical staff and staff from various medical institutions to create, manage, and consult on the EHR simultaneously. However, one of the significant issues with the introduction is the support from medical professionals, who find it challenging to accept changes for several reasons. The responsibility of the health care manager is to communicate to staff the significance of implementing EHR and all the advantages that will result for the staff members themselves.
When an EHR is implemented, the first change in employee motivation is uncertainty, a sense of loss, and the conviction that the changes will not result in anything positive. When people perceive a threat to stability, they may unconsciously react by expressing their opposition to changes. Another change in motivation is the feeling that the changes will lead to personal losses. For instance, medical staff members who handle the management of paper medical records might think that technological advancements will reduce their role in the industry.
The primary responsibility of managers is to convey changes effectively to the team and to do this, they must have a clear understanding of change. As a manager, I would first describe the technical approach, tools, and structures required to implement the change successfully. It is crucial to pick the right time to make the announcements. I would choose a separate from a busy time for the staff because that will make them see the changes as an additional burden. The key to effective change communication is presenting information in manageable components. Employees should be informed that there is a clear plan and timeline, the changes will be gradual, and training will be provided at that point. I would communicate the changes confidently and explain the reasons behind the introduction of the EHR.
The main benefit of the EHR system to be communicated to employees is that they will have access to accurate and comprehensive patient health information, enabling them to give patients the best medical care possible. EHR also enables prompt medical assistance, allowing staff members to save time. In an emergency, EHRs offer quick access to patient medical history, allergies, and medications (Baumann et al., 2018). Instead of waiting for test results, this enables healthcare professionals to make decisions more quickly.
The manager’s task is to explain to the staff that a series of training for medical staff must be held for the introduction of EHR to be successful. Employers must give workers a training schedule and set aside work hours for learning. An introductory computer usage course will be the primary induction for those who require it. Such training will also include the study of typing techniques. The primary one is the introductory course on using the EHR, which will start with an explanation of its basic concepts, where to enter patient data, and where to locate the appropriate information. The knowledge that medical staff will possess will change as EHR is implemented. Employees will be able then to print quickly, conduct information searches, and use essential computer functions.
In conclusion, implementing EHR will significantly improve how healthcare facilities operate. The main issue that healthcare managers may face is resistance from staff members unwilling to learn new procedures. Managers must communicate the significance of such changes and how they will benefit employees’ work to implement EHR as quickly and efficiently as possible. Access to training materials, availability of training opportunities, and ongoing support for employees are all crucial.
Reference
Baumann, L. A., Baker, J., & Elshaug, A. G. (2018). The impact of electronic health record systems on clinical documentation times: A systematic review. Health Policy, 122(8), 827-836. Web.