Implementing an Electronic Medical Record System in a Rural General Practice

Abstract

Worldwide, there is an inexorable trend towards electronic medical records (EMR), particularly in developed countries. Virtually every general practice in the United Kingdom is now computerised and half use electronic patient records.1 The National Programme for Health and Information Technology (NPfIT), for the health and social services in England, aims that every patient’s medical record will be held electronically. This EMR will be available online, as required, to healthcare professionals and patients, both for hospital and ambulatory care.1 In the United States (US) in 2005, it is estimated that 25% of physicians in ambulatory practice used some form of EMR.2 The US government has made promotion of Health Information Technology one of its highest healthcare priorities.2 EMRs are also used in developing countries, although they are generally small projects funded and supported by organisations in the developed world.3