Understanding patients' experiences during transitions from one electronic health record to another: A scoping review

Alison M Cogan; Trenton M Haltom; Stephanie L Shimada; Jessica A Davila; Bryan P McGinn; Gemmae M Fix

doi:10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100258

Understanding patients' experiences during transitions from one electronic health record to another: A scoping review

PEC Innov. 2024 Jan 28:4:100258. doi: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100258. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Authors

Alison M Cogan^{1

2}, Trenton M Haltom^{3

4}, Stephanie L Shimada^{5

6

7}, Jessica A Davila^{3

4}, Bryan P McGinn⁸, Gemmae M Fix^{5

9

10}

Affiliations

¹ Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
² Center for the Study of Health Innovation, Implementation and Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
³ Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.
⁴ Department of Medicine-Health Services Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
⁵ Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) at the Bedford VA Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA.
⁶ Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
⁷ Division of Health Informatics and Implementation Science, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
⁸ Department of Health Policy and Management, Providence College, Providence, RI, USA.
⁹ Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
¹⁰ Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.

Abstract

Objectives: Identify existing research on impacts of transitions between electronic health record (EHR) systems on patients' healthcare experiences.

Methods: Scoping review. We searched MedLine, OVID, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycInfo databases for articles on patient experiences with EHR-to-EHR transitions.

Results: Three studies met inclusion criteria. All three used validated surveys to compare patient satisfaction with care pre- and post-transition. The surveys did not include specific questions about the EHR transition; one study focused on patient perceptions of provider computer use. Satisfaction levels initially decreased following EHR implementation, then returned to baseline between six and 15 months later in two of three studies. Factors associated with changes in observed satisfaction are unknown.

Conclusions: Patient experience has been given limited attention in studies of EHR-to-EHR transitions. Future research should look beyond satisfaction, and examine how an EHR-to-EHR transition can impact the quality of patients' care, including safety, effectiveness, timeliness, efficiency, and equity.

Innovation: To our knowledge, this is the first literature review on EHR transitions that specifically focused on patient experiences. In preparation for a transition from one EHR to another, healthcare system leaders should consider the multiple ways patients' experiences with care may be impacted and develop strategies to minimize disruptions in care.

Keywords: Electronic health record; Patient experience; Scoping review.

Publication types

Review