EHR Training - Biggest Predictor of User Satisfaction

Despite years of efforts and investing billions of dollars, it has been seen that EHR systems still often do not live up to their full potential of improving care, reducing costs, or revolutionizing the experience of caregivers. Experts often point out the poor knowledge of technological usability as the root cause behind these failures. Research studies have shown critical gaps among users in terms of understanding how to optimize an EHR. Hence, one of the most important aspects that healthcare organizations must prioritize is EHR training. It forms a part of the responsibility of health organizations to improve EHR adoption through investments in EHR learning as well as personalization support for the users and caregivers.

Through this blog, you will be able to explore:

• Importance of EHR Training
• Impact of EHR Training
• Training Gap Issues and How to Deal With It

Importance of EHR Training

Transitioning into a new EHR does not just include swapping software. Rather, it changes the way healthcare is done. In spite of the focus on the necessity of a thoughtfully designed process of implementation, the importance of end-user training is often overlooked. EHR training is essential for supporting efficiency, best practices, and, most importantly, patient safety.

Even the best EHR systems would not be able to function properly without the presence of users who are well-trained. As the EHR systems continue proliferating in the healthcare industry, the benefits that come with the development of providers who are able and confident through an effective process of training are becoming more and more evident. In fact, the importance of EHR training for end-users has led to the rise of related increased course work in healthcare training programs for providers and in medical schools.

Some of the best reasons why EHR training forms an important part of a healthcare environment are as follows:

1. Helps in improving accuracy in documentation and coding
The benefits involved with an efficient program of EHR training include increased accuracy in charting, coding, and documentation that benefits both the providers as well as the patients. When clinicians make errors in documentation or coding, they end up spending extra hours redoing it, which just adds up to the work burden of the clinicians. Without adequate EHR training, there are increased risks of the clinicians making these errors which might end up not just slowing their productivity but also the potential loss of revenue or even putting the health of patients at risk.

2. Helps in understanding the full potential of an EHR software
Advanced EHR training can also help healthcare providers to recognize the full potential of an EHR. There are countless ways to improve practice on comprehensive EHR software. If providers are properly trained on how to use the system to its full potential, it will save not just save time and money but also from the constant frustration of not being able to use the system properly or burnout syndromes. Also, many of the features of an EHR would go unused if the staff is not trained fully on what the EHR is capable of.

3. Helps in improving efficiency and productivity
It must be noted the core purpose of an EHR is to increase productivity and improve workflow by centralizing the data records of patients, reducing the manual data entry needs, and enhancing internal communications between healthcare providers. Now, if the staff is unaware of the use of EHR, the system could face inefficiencies as well as reduce the total time clinicians get to spend with their patients. Through EHR training programs, clinicians and providers can overcome specific challenges of productivity as well as perform billing and documentation tasks in minimal time.

Impact of EHR Training

There are numerous ways by which EHR training impacts the overall implementation process. However, one of the key advantages of carefully planning a training program is that it provides the opportunity of fostering buy-in as well as commitment from providers, administrators, and staff. Providing evidence and examples of success stories of similar practices or improved outcomes for patients, followed by Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) Implementations, could be great ways of encouraging dedication to the implementation of a new EHR system.

Some of the ways by which EHR training directly impacts the healthcare system are as follows:

1. Improved Return on Investments
EHR training greatly impacts the ROI or Return on Investment in the healthcare environment. If a hospital offers ongoing support and training to ensure that the staff continues to learn, then the return on the investment could remain consistent for years. EHR systems have the ability to offer increased efficiency in operations, which could help in reducing practice costs. However, this is possible only when the implementation is done well, and a successful implementation is the result of effective and thorough training.

2. Increased user satisfaction
Proper EHR training lessens the frustration, stress, and burnout associated with not knowing how to use an EHR system. User dissatisfaction can directly play a role in negatively impacting the quality of patient care. Proper training ensures that staffs are satisfied with their skills and comfortable with the software before applying them in the real world.

3. Boosting morale
EHR training ensures that providers feel confident regarding their EHR skills and get motivated to make use of their abilities to help the practice grow. Through training, the staff gets the necessary tools for feeling enthusiastic and in control of the various features of the EHR software.

Training Gap Issues and How to Deal With It

Training gaps can leave users unprepared for tasks which could lead to negative outcomes. Insufficient end-user training, along with ineffective and poorly focused EHR implementation, could lead to consequences that could have a negative effect on medical practices. The consequences can range from medical data errors being put in jeopardy to loss of efficiency in practices which could affect both the practice as well as the patients. Inadequate training can also lead to loss of morale, productivity, and job satisfaction.

When it comes to the EHR training gap, there are various kinds of issues that can crop up. It can include the likes of not having a personalized training pace, lack of specialized training, or providing advanced training earlier than required. Some of the ways of dealing with such training gap issues are as follows:

1. Hospitals could focus on training their employees in phases instead of having comprehensive EHR training all at once. This would ensure that staffs have their basics cleared before moving on to advanced training
2. Clinical staff and physicians must be allowed to attend training sessions according to their level of application and use. Having a variety of session options would allow the staff and physicians to move through the training at the appropriate pace
3. Tailoring the EHR training programs according to the specialties of the physicians and the common tasks within the hospital can not only help in increasing the efficiency of the training but would also create better user satisfaction

EHR training has a lasting and profound impact on EHR satisfaction. The better the training, the more the level of satisfaction. To be precise, user satisfaction in EHR begins with training which continues in the long run if the starting is commenced with a good experience. However, to get the optimum results out of the training, hospitals must ensure that they focus on not just the ‘what’ in training but the ‘who’ as well. As it is said, “the only way to create the greatest impact is by enjoying what you do,” and there cannot be a more vital ingredient behind enjoying EHR use than EHR training.