The AMA has called for solutions to EHR systems that have neglected usability as a necessary feature.

Physicians need better designed EHR systems, the AMA has responded by releasing a new framework outlining eight priorities for improving EHR usability to benefit caregivers and patients.

AMA President-elect, Steven J. Stack, MD, said "Physician experiences documented by the AMA and RAND demonstrate that most electronic health record systems fail to support efficient and effective clinical work. This has resulted in physicians feeling increasingly demoralized by technology that interferes with their ability to provide first-rate medical care to their patients."

To leverage the power of EHRs for enhancing patient care, improving productivity, and reducing administrative costs, the AMA framework outlines the following usability priorities along with related challenges:

-Enhance Physicians' Ability to Provide High-Quality Patient Care -Support Team-Based Care -Promote Care Coordination -Offer Product Modularity and Configurability -Reduce Cognitive Workload -Promote Data Liquidity -Facilitate Digital and Mobile Patient Engagement -Expedite User Input into Product Design and Post-Implementation Feedback

To advance these goals, the AMA plans to utilize the eight usability priorities to lead EHR improvements for physicians, vendors, federal and state policymakers, institutions, health care systems and researchers, which could ultimately lead to increasing professional satisfaction for physicians.

To learn more go to: http://bit.ly/1DibGlg.