Electronic medical records (EMRs) are vital for improving patient compliance. The outcome of any healthcare services depends on the compliance or adherence of patients to the recommended treatment regimens. If patients fail to adhere to prescribed treatment or drugs, then there is a high likelihood of causing a pervasive threat to their health and overall wellbeing. There are several ways through which EMRs can boost and improve patient compliance.

How EMRs improve patient compliance

EMR play a significant role in helping doctors organize patient information, like diagnoses and medications, in a better manner; hence, patients are able to follow the provided guidelines or prescription in an easy manner. In most cases, EMRs provide automated prompts and reminders  to help patients know when tests are due as well as when control of chronic diseases is suboptimal. This ensures that such patients do not skip any significant tests.

Organised Information

EMRs also help doctors and other medic in gathering detailed information about patients with an aim of coordinating and dissemination of healthcare services in a better manner especially for those patients with complex conditions that make it hard for them to track their own clinical information.

Ease of use

Most EMRs have patient portals that help patient access an electronic copy of their information upon request. As a result, they can easily ask questions from their physicians, schedule appointments, view tests results, as well as order prescription refills; thus, improving their compliance on the given medications.

Better Doctor-Patient Communication

They also enhance and boost communication between health care providers and patients; this is especially vital for patients on home monitoring. Home monitoring data, like important signs, are added to the medical record and all providers can access it. EMRs further make more data available whenever a patient is in hospital; hence doctors are able to make timely corrections to any medication regimens or care processes that enormously improve outcomes.

Coordinated and Quality Care

EMRs further incorporate customized discharge planning tools that greatly improve the process of instructing patients as well as communication between providers and families. This, in turn, boosts patient compliance on the given instructions. Sometimes, the same EMR is used by both outpatient and inpatient providers; hence, the outpatient providers or care giver have access to valuable information about inpatient care, like discharge instructions and test results. Such information may be sent to the primary care medical home to help care coordinator plan for follow-up care among patients. As a result, coordinated quality care and patient compliance is achieved.

Integrated EMRs

Patients do not have to navigate an increasingly abundant world of health information on the internet on their own, thanks to integration of EMRs in healthcare systems. They can easily find trusted guides, like doctors, nurses, and other physicians, to direct them on how to use certain medications. Such medics directly help and share relevant and reliable information with patients; thus, helping them avoid information that can cause heightened anxiety or worse outcomes.

Conclusion

Indeed, EMRs help patients follow prescribed instructions, treatments, and drug use; hence, they are able to manage their conditions in appropriate manners.