Investing EHR within Doctors Practice - Benefits, Challenges, and Vendor Solutions in Australia

This article discusses the benefits and challenges of investing in EHR within doctors practice in Australia. It also explores the vendor solutions available for EHR implementation in healthcare and hospitals. The benefits of EHR include improved quality of healthcare services, easy access to patient records, and efficient clinical administration. However, challenges such as policy and economic uncertainty, privacy concerns, and technical challenges exist. Vendor solutions such as Greenway Technologies, IST Group Ltd, Cloud to Clinic, and Direct Control are discussed.

Running head: INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 1
Investing EHR within Doctors Practice
Student by (Name)
Institution

INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 2
PART A
Investing EHR within Doctors Practice
Data collection part
Functionality of General practice of doctors in Australia
Doctors in Australia ar required to met a lot of fucntion which are based on the patients record.
According to various doctors, healthcare service provision can run smoothly with proper
recording of patients information. They believe that proper electronic healthcare system will
enable doctors with Shared Medical records system. Most of the doctors feel that in their practice
and quality service delivery to the customers there must be electronically shared records about
the patients’ records can be accessed easily at all the time (Lim, Patel, Lee, Weeks, Barber &
Watnik, 2015). The patient’s quality care delivery will be improved upon the installation of an
electronically medical shared record that can be accessed all the time by the doctors. Moreover,
doctors in Australia also confirmed that patients’ medical history is important and such
information must be shared among the doctors within a given healthcare facility for excellent
quality services.
Benefits of ERH to Doctors
Electronics healthcare records are instrumental in Australia as it provides an excellent
platform for new practicing doctors. The system enables new as well as old doctors within the
Service Centre with access to all healthcare information related to the patients. The electronic
Healthcare Records involves sharing of patients data. Moreover, the electronic records can be
used by various parties such as healthcare professionals, the health community, patients and the

INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 3
entire community at large. all these three stakeholders must threfore work hand in hand to
realize the effective implementation of healthcare regarding electronically shared data among the
concerned authority (Jung, Y., & Yoon, 2016).
There are different information that can be stored in the e-healthcare system which
includes: the referrals, laboratory tests and the patient's health record regarding drug utilization
records (). A well secured and efficient electronically shared health records or records can
significantly improve the quality of healthcare services in an organization. This can be
implemented in areas such as clinical administration and the flow of information within the
healthcare unit. It will also help with the free exchange of data just by logging into the system
and sharing some vital information such as referrals, medication history, the patient's bio-data
and information about the progress record of the patient (Ford, Menachemi, Peterson & Huerta,
2009). For this reason, the healthcare has a more significant potential to provide benefits to both
the individual groups/customers, community within Australia and the entire community at large.
The system was formerly known as the health informatics because it involved the storage
and retrieval of data stored at any required time within the specific task to be performed. The e-
health may involve different aspects of technology including the video conferencing or the
regular transfer of data within the system for quality and easy access of the information among
the doctors and other stakeholders within the healthcare system. The healthcare electronically
shared records is regarded as one of the most effective approaches to the e-health system.
However, it has some challenges which should be looked into for its full implementation ().
Challenges associated with ERH
Most of the challenges include the following: Impact of policy and economic uncertainty;
this is caused due to the political nature of the country either from the opposition or government

INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 4
depending on the new aspect of e-health to be implemented. In addition to the already identified
challenge, other challenges relating to the implementation of the electronically Health Records
include the issue of the specified and unified approach and point of transport NEHTA operation.
Likewise opt-outside model and opt-in model as well as other issues about the privacy concerns
and finally the problems on use of the new technology during its implementation in the initial
stages (Lorenzi, Kouroubali, Detmer & Bloomrosen, 2009). All these become part of the
challenges experienced in the application of the Electronically Healthcare Records in the
healthcare sector. The system is governed by different laws and ethical regulation which include
the high level of secrecy. All the patients expect that all their health records should not be shared
by any third party apart from the authorized group.
The stored data may also be lost from the stored database, and this may make the
healthcare services to forget all the essential records related to the customer. There are also other
technical challenges associated with the use of computers and technology in the healthcare
sector. These include the problem if the internet and the network and most of the system user
may be expensive to upgrade or may require expertise which sometimes might be regarded as
valuable to the healthcare sectors (Wallace & Iyer, 2017). Some of the hospitals or healthcare
sectors may lack specialized clinical officers in the industry to cope with the new technologies
within the healthcare sector. Finally, the reliability of the system is not guaranteed. Some
patients may be in more than one location, and this may be not easy to keep the records and
provide adequate information on the patient. The system may also have a problem with the
backup more so when there is a loss of data or loss of data due to the power interrupt.
Functionality

INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 5
The data can be accessed at any time so long as logging in is done by using a specified
unique password. A specialized password is provided for the privacy to prevail (Lorenzi,
Kouroubali, Detmer & Bloomrosen, 2009).
The stakeholders
The electronically Healthcare Records involves the sharing of patients’ data and which is
used by various parties in the healthcare system namely: healthcare professionals, the health
community, patients and the entire community at large; the necessary information that is shared
is received from the patients, and the healthcare professionals are to electronically access the
data by use of a password or a specified code (Boonstra & Broekhuis, 2010). Other parties
involved in the electronically shared record include the IT experts who implement the programs
and the installation of the systems and also the entire health community and other stakeholders
within the healthcare system.
Implementation
Therefore the doctors are always advised to adhere to the rules as they continue with the
implementation of the e-health in the entire country (Australia) (Mostashari, Tripathi & Kendall,
2009). The process of implementation of electronically healthcare records involves some means
for its application. All the documents related to the patient are first stored in a database then the
information is electronically shared among the concern doctors from the deferent department
within the healthcare. This new project through the involvement of both parties will follow a
specific project design with various stages. The stages will involve: proper analysis of the
answers to questions, decide on the method for program design, choosing on the appropriate
language to use for the program, implement the program then plan to be taken for prototype and
finally design the final project (Mostashari, Tripathi & Kendall, 2009).

INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 6
The business context
From the information obtained it is clear that most of the GP n Australia are falling
number as most of the fresh graduates choose the specialization to general practice. The
information or data is obtained from Melbourne Institute of Applied Economics and the Social
Research. This trend is viewed as expensive in the long run and may bring some implications for
the patient use (Pires, Matos, Azambuja, Trindade, & Scherer, 2014). If there are not enough
GPs, the number of patients ending up in hospitals will more the estimated amount. One the
more celebrated specialists say money does matter because specialized are paid almost three
times what the GPs are given and this what the juniors in the profession intend to do.
Year Fresh graduates Working with GPs Working as
specialists
2015 500 300 200
2016 650 270 380
2017 1000 200 800
Key processes
The following represents the critical processes within the doctor’s practice in
Australia.This model outlines the main assessment pathways from the data gathered.
 The competent pathway
 The standard pathway which includes the assessment of new place and the current
AMC examinations and finally the,
 The pathway for specialists which include the general practice.

INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 7
o The standard assessment specialists
o Ned assessment regarding the area
o The overseas training in special training sessions
Vendor operating in Australia offering HER system solutions
There are some vendor companies offering electronics Healthcare solutions. These
companies include Greenway Technologies, Cloud to Clinic, Esedex Australia Pty Ltd, ISA
Healthcare Solutions and finally Medical Director.
1. Greenway Technologies
The company has fewer risk implications as compared to other technology solutions in
the vending industry.The vendor was formed as a joint venture between the medical consortium
and the Greenaway cooperation.( Wallace & Iyer, 2017).The organization is made up the
medical professional in Canton, Georgia. Though these organizations were large they could not
still develop the system they came together to create different solutions to the healthcare sector.
Initially, the vending corporation was owned by the American people. The vending company is
currently dealing with technology solutions such as internet development and the database
management in the line of healthcare management and Electronics Healthcare Record (EHR).
Architect
Greenaway Techno is made up of three architectural decisions which provide the desired
healthcare solutions in a manner of flexibility to act in additional business opportunity. All these

INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 8
architectural technologies are beneficial in the resolution of the healthcare systems. The
following represents the three architectures for the Greenaway solutions.
The architecture of the system include the following:
Web-based applications
The architecture is made up of the application solutions which is very essential in the
healthcare department. The first developers were recruited on the application development; at the
initial stage, those who were trained had no experienced and knowledge on web design. The
mindset was made to accept the training and to develop different systems. The system access the
single database from multi locations from the numerous devices within the web-based
applications (O’malley, 2010). The system provides for smooth migration from the old system to
the integrated one within from the system. The vending company then organized for the skilled
team who are responsible for the implementation of the technological solutions.
Open standards
This type of architecture was developed in 1987.The American National Standards
Institute then accredited it. The development of the standards allows for the exchange of
healthcare systems within the required standards.
Flexible history solutions
The functions of the architecture vary from service to function in the web-based
application there is room for database and other security measures for the ethical and social
implications. The architecture offers the flexibility in the system solutions.
2. IST Group Ltd
It is a company listed as an ASX heath, supporting healthcare, i.e., my healthcare
1st.com.au,

INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 9
It has over 46 software management systems
It is affordable and easy to install.
It has over 46 architecture within it.
It has a unique password for security, i.e. uses biosecurity system
3. Cloud to Clinic
It is a full electronics cloud-based medical record systems mainly for private healthcare
practices in AUSTRALIA. It is costly regarding installations and cost benefits. It was started by
Dunning Ave Roseberry in Australia.
4. Direct CONTROL patient and administration system used for all the Medical
practitioners
It has a sophisticated software which SQL. NET which offers both the desktop and
browser applications and includes all the providers and patient portals.It is very cheap and user-
friendly.It also a unique password. It also develops the patients flow management, engagement
of patients and appointment in booking solutions for the general practices and hospitals.
Finally, the below information represents the data collected on vendor offering HER
solutions to Healthcare and Hospitals in Australia.
Vendor
solutions
company
Solution
Provided
The
functionality
of the system
IT
architecture
Risk and
Security
Cost and
Benefits
Implementati
on Strategy
Greenway
Solutions
Desktop and
browser
applications
Highly
efficient in its
functionality
Web-
Applications
Open
Unique
password
offered
Cheap to
install and
maintain
Four months
for
implementatio

INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 10
Standards n and manual
provided
Training
offered
1 ST-Group
Ltd
Supporting
MyHealthcare1
st.com.au
Can function
under weak
and robust
networks
Open
standards,
Web-
Application
More
secure
and
password
unique
Cheaper
compared to
Greenway
Technologies
solutions
Training,
Training, and
manual for the
solution is
offered
Clinic To
Cloud
Provision of
medical
Records System
for the private
practitioners
The system
requires little
training
Based
Electronics
System
which is
integrated
Unique
password
offered
Improve the
efficiency
and do the
general
practice to go
fast.
Operated by
use of a
password and
its
implementatio
n can take a
maximum of 5
months
Direct
Control
Patients and
Patients portal
provision.
The system is
efficient and
flexible for
upgrading and
changes
Sophisticated
Software and
SQL system.
Desktop and
browser apps
available.
Special
password
is
applied
in this
system
Cheap to
implement
And also
increase
profitability
to the
healthcare
systems
Can work with
the
smartphones
Training and
manual also
offered to the
clients
AutoMed
Systems
Complete
reception
solution
provided
Improved the
efficiency for
both patients
and Staff
Web
Solutions,
SQL
Applications
Increased
profitability
for the
practice

INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 11
References
Boonstra, A., & Broekhuis, M. (2010). Barriers to the acceptance of electronic medical records
by physicians from systematic review to taxonomy and interventions. BMC health
services research, 10(1), 231.
Ford, E. W., Menachemi, N., & Phillips, M. T. (2011). Predicting the adoption of electronic
health records by physicians: when will health care be paperless?. Journal of the
American Medical Informatics Association, 13(1), 106-112.
Ford, E. W., Menachemi, N., Peterson, L. T., & Huerta, T. R. (2009). Resistance is futile: but it
is slowing the pace of EHR adoption nonetheless. Journal of the American Medical
Informatics Association, 16(3), 274-281.
Jung, Y., & Yoon, Y. I. (2016, July). Data integration for clinical decision support. In Ubiquitous
and Future Networks (ICUFN), 2016 Eighth International Conference on (pp. 164-166).
IEEE.
Lim, M. C., Patel, R. P., Lee, V. S., Weeks, P. D., Barber, M. K., & Watnik, M. R. (2015). The
long-term financial and clinical impact of an electronic health record on an academic
ophthalmology practice. Journal of ophthalmology, 2015.

INVESTING EHR WITHIN DOCTORS PRACTICE 12
Lorenzi, N. M., Kouroubali, A., Detmer, D. E., & Bloomrosen, M. (2009). How to successfully
select and implement electronic health records (EHR) in small ambulatory practice
settings. BMC medical informatics and decision making, 9(1), 15.
Mostashari, F., Tripathi, M., & Kendall, M. (2009). A tale of two large community electronic
health record extension projects. Health Affairs, 28(2), 345-356.
O’malley, A. S., Grossman, J. M., Cohen, G. R., Kemper, N. M., & Pham, H. H. (2010). Are
electronic medical records helpful for care coordination? Experiences of physician
practices. Journal of general internal medicine, 25(3), 177-185.
Pires, D. E. P. D., Matos, E., Azambuja, E. P. D., Trindade, L. D. L., & Scherer, M. D. D. A.
(2014). New Technologies and Workloads of Health Care Professionals.
Wallace, S., & Iyer, L. (2017). Healthcare ITValueHierarchy Framework for the Small Physician
Practices Context. Journal of the Midwest Association for Information Systems
(JMWAIS), 2017(2), 7.