Summary
This article summarizes two key points-- one in the world of business and another in the world of medicine -- about the EMR debate. One is how corporations view this opportunity and the other is about the relationship between physicians and hospitals.
Analysis
I would like to make 2 points about this article. The first is that, yes, larger multinational corporations who have a stake in health care will look to purchase or partner with companies that have developed robust and efficient EMR technology. This will likely be good in the long run for the end users-- clinicians-- as costs and technology is allowed to flourish in this scenario.
Secondly, I believe it is unclear that economic stimulus money will force a "steamroller" effect in health care. Many forward thinking physicians, many of them in rural areas are utilizing smaller EMR technologies in offices already. The real effect will be how hospitals allow physicians to connect to hospital-system based EMR and what, if any, incentives will be offered for phyisican practices to do so. Physicians will not likely "jump on-board" unless there are clear advantages for the health of their patients or for their own pocketbooks.
