Evaluation of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) as a transcription aid

This study attempted to evaluate impacts of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) on turnaround time and staff productivity in the context of transcription. A quasi-experimental study was conducted from February to June 2007. The Canada Health Infoway Benefit Evaluation Framework was adapted as the evaluation framework. Twenty-four medical specialists were recruited. Study results indicated that using the EMR reduced TAT by 21% but decreased transcriptionists' productivity by 38.5%, p<.001. Survey and interview responses indicated that the EMR improved information availability, TAT, quality and security of transcribed letters and communications between transcriptionist and specialist. The EMR resulted in productivity loss for the transcriptionists but with no such impacts on specialists. Lacking adequate training and technical support during EMR implementation were addressed as issues. The EMR has the potential to improve turnaround time but offset by productivity loss during early implementation. Further studies on evaluating EMR's impacts on clinical workflows are desirable.