Government involvement in usability has been the talk recently.  In case your not aware, EMR usability is such as problem the government is exploring ways to get involved.  As you might imagine the topic is a very sticky subject, especially EMR vendors, as the topic conjures images of committee-centered design and EMRs being worse of then they already are now.

However, when you think objectively about it, I believe the government …

Read more…

EMR software is a data repository for clinicians.  Rather than being just a simple database, what would the ideal software package look like?  What exactly is the perfect electronic medical record?

Every clinician that interacts with the medical record has a specific need.  Whether that is an emergency physician which is looking to track down a specific problem or a family practice physician who is looking to keep track of hundreds …

Read more…

I want clinicians to buy more Apple products.  I want Macbooks to replace your PCs.  Other than promoting Apple and angering PC-lovers, why would I say this?

I say this because my mind was opened to a new world when I started using Apple products — usability. Usability means making tools easier-to-use so you can complete your job quicker or easier than you previously could.

Windows-based PCs are notorious for their usability problems.  Even …

Read more…