Electronic Health Records (EHRS) and Other Clinical Information Systems in Mental Health

Adoption of cutting-edge information technology (IT) practices has lagged behind in healthcare as compared to other industries, negatively impacting patient safety and provider efficiency. While federal legislation has helped push through broader use of electronic health records (EHRs) in medical settings, the same incentives have not yet been provided within mental health care. We summarize pertinent legislation and the resulting funding initiatives and changes to healthcare delivery (e.g., accountable care organizations [ACOs], the patient-centered medical home [PCMH]). Although there are many safety and quality benefits to EHRs, drawbacks remain, particularly related to concerns about privacy of patient data. Additionally, providers cite burnout and cost as reasons for their reluctance to adopt EHRs in their practice. Finally, we discuss the market share for EHR vendors in medical and mental health settings and additional uses for EHRS outside of clinical care.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA Tyler Anne Hassenfeldt
  2. Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Durham, NC, USA Tyler Anne Hassenfeldt
  3. 360 Degree Insights, LLC, Clarksville, MD, USA Ross D. Martin
  1. Tyler Anne Hassenfeldt