What electronic health record implementation issues are unique to rural settings?
There are many barriers unique to electronic health record (EHR) implementation in rural health care settings,1-2 including:
- Prohibitive cost of many EHR systems/limited access to capital and infrastructure
- Access to EHR vendor information and technical assistance
- Suitability of EHR products for rural health care settings
- Difficulty connecting to or obtaining broadband service
- Limited health information technology (IT) workforce
- Difficulty in obtaining community buy-in
- Limited opportunities for collaboration with other rural health stakeholders
- Limited buy-in from rural practice/hospital/health center staff with multiple roles and busy schedules
These challenges can be overcome. For information on how you can overcome challenges and mitigate EHR implementation disruptions in rural health care settings, see the table below for related FAQs and rural health information technology (HIT) resources.
Rural EHR Implementation Issue | Related Rural HIT Resources |
---|---|
Prohibitive cost of many EHR systems/limited access to capital and infrastructure | |
Access to EHR vendor information and technical assistance | |
Suitability of EHR products for rural settings | |
Difficulty connecting to or obtaining broadband service | |
Limited information technology (IT) workforce | |
Difficulty in obtaining community buy-in | |
Limited opportunities for collaboration with other rural health stakeholders | |
Limited buy-in from rural practice/hospital/health center staff with multiple roles and busy schedules |
Learn more about how real providers successfully implement EHRs in rural settings in these case studies/interviews:
- A Solo Practitioner in Rural Kansas Transitions from EHR Implementation to Meaningful Use
- Robert Deluca's EHR Story: Benefits of EHRs for Rural Providers
- White River Rural Health Center Health IT Journey
References
- Health Resources and Services Administration. “What are the issues that are unique to rural health and health IT?”
- Health Resources and Services Administration. “What implementation issues are unique to rural settings and how do we best manage them?”
Implementing EHRs – Conducting Training and Implementing an EHR
While training office staff and clinicians is one of the larger costs of electronic health record (EHR) implementation, training is crucial to realizing the full potential of your EHR. You can also...
Power failures and internet crashes can prevent you from accessing your patients' records and it can be a struggle to know how to handle your patients. Write a plan for mitigating system failures...
When planning for system go-live, the Health Resources and Services Administration recommends covering all aspects of the implementation cycle and allocating enough time to become familiar with new...
Your local Regional Extension Center (REC) can provide support and advice during your electronic health record (EHR) go-live. RECs are equipped with the personnel and resources to support and advise...
Regional Extension Centers (RECs) are located in every region of the country to help health care providers select, implement, and become adept and meaningful users of electronic health records (EHRs...
Electronic Health Record Implementation: Preparation is Key
Whether you're just starting to think about adopting an electronic health record (EHR) system or are ready to make the transition...
Electronic Health Record Implementation Training: A Crucial Step
While training office staff and clinicians is one of the larger investments of electronic health record (EHR) implementation, EHR...
The Basics
Chart migration is the process of moving data from your existing paper records to your electronic health record (EHR). Chart migration before your EHR go-live date is a critical EHR...
Case Studies
The following case studies and provider testimonials are on-the-ground examples of how providers in the field are training their staff.
Doctor Profiles: Dr. Jennifer Brull...
The Basics
By making it easier to use and share information, electronic health records (ITs) can be used to help patients obtain timely care and access personal health information while also helping...
The Basics
An Issues Log is a tool for identifying emergent unintended consequences of electronic health record (EHR) implementation. You should record any problems that arise during EHR...
The Basics
The process of moving data from your existing paper records to your electronic health record (EHR) is called chart migration. Chart migration is a critical EHR implementation step...
While training office staff and clinicians is one of the larger costs of electronic health record (EHR) implementation, training is crucial to realizing the full potential of your EHR. You can also...
Power failures and internet crashes can prevent you from accessing your patients' records and it can be a struggle to know how to handle your patients. Write a plan for mitigating system failures...
When planning for system go-live, the Health Resources and Services Administration recommends covering all aspects of the implementation cycle and allocating enough time to become familiar with new...
Your local Regional Extension Center (REC) can provide support and advice during your electronic health record (EHR) go-live. RECs are equipped with the personnel and resources to support and advise...
Regional Extension Centers (RECs) are located in every region of the country to help health care providers select, implement, and become adept and meaningful users of electronic health records (EHRs...
Electronic Health Record Implementation: Preparation is Key
Whether you're just starting to think about adopting an electronic health record (EHR) system or are ready to make the transition...
Electronic Health Record Implementation Training: A Crucial Step
While training office staff and clinicians is one of the larger investments of electronic health record (EHR) implementation, EHR...
The Basics
Chart migration is the process of moving data from your existing paper records to your electronic health record (EHR). Chart migration before your EHR go-live date is a critical EHR...
Case Studies
The following case studies and provider testimonials are on-the-ground examples of how providers in the field are training their staff.
Doctor Profiles: Dr. Jennifer Brull...
The Basics
By making it easier to use and share information, electronic health records (ITs) can be used to help patients obtain timely care and access personal health information while also helping...
The Basics
An Issues Log is a tool for identifying emergent unintended consequences of electronic health record (EHR) implementation. You should record any problems that arise during EHR...
The Basics
The process of moving data from your existing paper records to your electronic health record (EHR) is called chart migration. Chart migration is a critical EHR implementation step...