The role of electronic health records in clinical reasoning

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2018 Dec;1434(1):109-114. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13849. Epub 2018 May 16.

Abstract

Electronic health records (eHRs) play an increasingly important role in documentation and exchange of information in multi-and interdisciplinary patient care. Although eHRs are associated with mixed evidence in terms of effectiveness, they are undeniably the health record form of the future. This poses several learning opportunities and challenges for medical education. This review aims to connect the concept of eHRs to key competencies of physicians and elaborates current learning science perspectives on diagnostic and clinical reasoning based on a theoretical framework of scientific reasoning and argumentation. It concludes with an integrative vision of the use of eHRs, and the special role of the patient, for teaching and learning in medicine.

Keywords: clinical reasoning; eHRs; electronic health records; medical education.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Decision-Making / methods*
  • Delivery of Health Care*
  • Electronic Health Records*
  • Humans