Electronic Medical Records Interface Design Considerations for Improving Outcomes for Diabetes Management in Primary Care: A Usability Study

Abstract

<p>Efficient strategies for diabetes management in primary care provide avenues through which the disease may be monitored and controlled, but systems and processes must be more than adequate. The use of Electronic Medical Record systems (EMRs) assist healthcare providers in delivering quality care to patients to help better manage chronic conditions, and integrate services throughout the healthcare system so that relevant chronic disease programs may be made available to individuals and communities. Usability issues have often been blamed for poor EMR adoption rates, underutilization of systems, endangerment of patient health and inadequacies in providing positive health outcomes for patients while improving the quality of chronic disease management.</p> <p>This thesis investigates the use of EMRs in managing diabetes within primary care, and evaluates their usability and its effects in managing diabetes in patients, with special reference to patient safety, healthcare provider workflow and adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs).</p> <p>Existing evidence emphasizing the management of diabetes and the role of the EMR in primary care is presented, while three levels of usability and several usability guidelines are identified and investigated. Data gathered from the local environment, show the relationships between EMR usability, patient safety, clinician workflow and adherence to CPGs in managing diabetes, and three models of EMR usability are suggested.</p> <p>The primary proposition for this study is that EMRs provide promise in helping to control diabetes in patients. However EMR usability may present significant hindrances in maximizing outcomes for individuals and in providing support programs and services to communities.</p>