This article feels slightly different as we are zoning in on a barrier within a specific moment in healthcare, arguably the most important one, the patient encounter. The Medical Libary Association identified integration as a key barrier to using information resources within the patient encounter. However, it became apparent that there isn’t much research out there looking at this barrier. So we reached out to some of our users to get their opinions.
Earlier in the series, we shared the stat that, on average, doctors would ideally like 50% more time with their patients.¹ It’s very clear that the patient encounter is extremely valuable for both parties and that time needs to be optimized.² Therefore, we wanted to understand if healthcare professionals do integrate information resources into the patient encounter, and if so, how they do.
Overall, everyone agreed that integration is the key barrier to using information resources in the patient encounter. That said, not everyone uses them. Dr. Vitor Moutinho, a Surgical Oncologist, commented — “We already have a heavy paperwork load to be completed on electronic medical records (EMRs) aside from focusing, of course, on the patient. So most clinicians do not integrate medical literature.” While others value its importance but generally only use a few select tools — “Not only is it important to get information at the point of care but it should be wholly integrated into EMRs” — Dr. Nikhil Shah, Nephrologist.
As indicated by Nikhil, general consensus was that those ‘select tools’ are used because they can be embedded into EMRs. Dr. Nick Johnson, an Intensivist & Emergency Physician said — “Links to UpToDate and other resources are often embedded in EMRs, making access very easy.”
When we asked about QxMD specifically, the majority said they don’t use QxMD within the patient encounter. It is used for primary literature reading in ‘personal time.’ This is why remote use and ease of access to papers through the app are so important to users. All emphasized how good QxMD is in this regard — “QxMD is a great, incomparable app that makes access to medical literature easy and straightforward,” Vitor.
The future for this area is certainly interesting. Despite his initial hesitancy, Vitor went on to say — “If there was an incredibly easy platform to use during the patient encounter, it wouldn’t be a matter of ‘educating clinicians on how to use it’, it would be a scenario of ‘can’t stop them from using it’.” Nikhil had an interesting suggestion that — “If the information is anticipated in advance and supplied as part of the electronic medical records — it may serve the purpose of informing the physician while inspiring confidence in the patient.” With the acceleration in AI technology, it certainly seems a possibility that an AI system could analyze the patient notes and provide relevant literature to the doctor ahead of the appointment.
For now, the full attention of the physician seems to be the priority. We’re glad that QxMD makes keeping up with medical literature outside of the patient encounter as easy as possible.
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