Full access
Letters to the Editor
Published Online: 17 September 2010

Government Initiative Needed

Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 45, Number 18
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.45.18.psychnews_45_18_035
Track CitationsAdd to favorites
I am writing to support wholeheartedly the letter in the July 16 issue by Raymond Yerkes, M.D., in which he proposed that the government develop electronic medical record (EMR) software programs and sell them to physicians at cost.
Single physicians (especially psychiatrists) and small group practices do not want to make the big investment of time and money to set up an EMR system, especially with all of the complex utilization requirements necessary to allow doctors to earn the Medicare reimbursement bonuses. This incentive program seems much more suited to large practices and institutions.
It seems evident that the government could develop an EMR system specifically for psychiatrists (and other physician specialties) at a relatively low cost and then recoup the cost by selling it for a small fee. Small groups such as my own would be much more motivated to set up an EMR system by low up-front costs and low continued software licensing fees rather than by bonus Medicare payments, which may never be fully realized.
I hope that this letter and that of Dr. Yerkes will be taken as a call to action. I would like to see APA push this idea with the federal government since it would benefit APA members and advance the national effort to improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery in this country.
BRIAN FELDMAN, M.D. Boca Raton, Fla.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 45 • Number 18 • September 17, 2010
Pages: 21

History

Published online: 17 September 2010
Published in print: September 17, 2010

Authors

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

View Options

View options

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.