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Bridging the gap of EHR: A comparative study of primary care physicians in the Netherlands and Germany

Schacht, Simon (2014) Bridging the gap of EHR: A comparative study of primary care physicians in the Netherlands and Germany.

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Abstract:This paper aims at providing insight into the effects an implementation of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems can have on the work of General Practitioner (GP), as well as on the treatment of medical patients. Several institutions want to implement the EHR system in order to improve the quality and coherence of the care processes, to smoothen the transmission of medical data, automate guidelines as well as record possible mistakes. The research has been based on a secondary literature review and a qualitative study of ten Dutch and 14 German GP interviews. These interviews have been conducted within the Twente Region in the Netherlands where an EHR system has already been implemented, and Frankenberg in Germany where no system has been introduced yet. The main findings suggest that Dutch and German GP’s have a rather diverse understanding to what extent EHR can be beneficial. Dutch post-transition respondents reported overall improved satisfaction due to quality improvements, simplified procedures and enhanced communication. Contingent upon the fact that German GP’s are mostly not using ICT yet, fear or problems attached to EHR in regard to privacy-related issues, increased costs and time inefficiencies are present. The implemented EHR within the Twente region meets GP’s expectations and they appreciate the benefits of EHR systems but would like to see steady improvements in the system, such as a tool that filters significant data. On the contrary, German GP’s face larger problems in regard to a possible implementation of EHR systems since diverse Information Systems are being used and existing data sources (e.g. pharmacy systems) rely on different server. The results of this paper are of high importance in regard to the future implementation of EHR systems, highlighting the areas that still need consideration in order to fully being able to take advantage of EHR.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:44 medicine
Programme:International Business Administration BSc (50952)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/65306
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