Confused About EHRs? Here's Help

APA's Committee on Electronic Health Records, chaired by Laura Fochtmann, M.D., is sponsoring the annual meeting workshop "Electronic Health Records: Taking the Plunge" on Saturday, May 14, at 9 a.m. in Room 322A of the Hawaii Convention Center.

Starting this year, physicians who treat Medicaid or Medicare patients and demonstrate "meaningful use" of electronic health records will be eligible for significant financial incentives. Starting in 2015, Medicare reimbursement rates will be reduced for physicians who do not meet this requirement (see GAO Urges EHR Program Changes).

While psychiatrists are increasingly expressing interest in EHRs, for physicians in solo and small practices, the tasks of selecting, implementing, and effectively using an EHR are daunting. The workshop will start with an overview of EHRs and the Medicare/Medicaid EHR incentive programs. Next, several psychiatrists in solo and small-practice settings who have already adopted EHRs will share highlights of their experiences with the audience, including challenges faced and lessons learned. The workshop will conclude with ample time for attendees to pose questions to members of the committee as well as the EHR adopters.