Integrating Medical Records

1073 Words3 Pages

In the midst of changes occurring in the United States one experiment currently taking place is with new reimbursement arrangements called pay-for-performance. In pay-for-performance physicians performance becomes tied to quality. Pay-for-performance is likely to face challenges ahead as it is implemented and utilized in the United States through adoption of electronic medical records. This paper will cover those possible challenges along with addressing general concerns.
Clinical practices especially those of a smaller scale know their patients in the practice, or become formally acquainted during the first few visits. However, with the new reimbursement method called pay-for-performance (P4P) tied into providing payments to physicians, this could negatively affect that one-on-one interaction. “A physicians compensation will improve the quality of health care a patient receives, however, costs will also be lowered in order to provide that care” (Journal of General Internal Medicine, pp. 10, para. 4). The relationship between doctor and patient could be compromised because of the cost in relation to care being received. A deeper understanding of the consequences of a pay-for-performance system, and the adoption of medical records needs to be addressed.
Pay-For-Performance and Medical Record Adoption
Technologically speaking every country seeks to be at the top of the list for advancement. The electronic medical record (EMR) is also an upcoming technology that allows physicians to) practice more powerful quality improve programs with paper-based records (Miller, & Sim, 2009). Adopting EMR’s is not a low cost venture, or an easy task. According to Miller, and Sim, (2009), “Quality improvement depends heavily on a phys...

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...f utmost concern for practicing physicians in utilizing a P4P system as well. Overall P4P could bring great benefits in the next 5-10 years of utilization but initial implementation could be risky.

References
Christianson, B., & Knutson, D. (2010). Physician pay-for-performance: Implementation and research issues. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 21 (9-13). doi: 10.1111/j.1525-
1497.2006.00356.x
Miller, R., and Sim, I. (2009). Physician use of electronic medical records: Barriers and solutions. Health Affairs. 2(116-127). doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.23.2.116
RAND. (2013). Health Care Pay for Performance. Retrieved from http://www.rand.org/topics/health-care-pay-for-performance.html UPMC. (2009). Overview of 2009 quality incentive rewards program (primary care).
Retrieved from http://www.upmchealthplan.com/pdf/2009_QIRP_Overview.pdf

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