Invited Commentary

Commentary on Electronic Health Records: An Awkward Third Wheel

Authors: La Vonne A. Downey, PhD

Abstract

When measuring the impact of the electronic health record (EHR), a quotation that has been attributed to a Chinese premier comes to mind. When asked about the impact of the French Revolution, he replied: ‘‘It is too soon to tell.’’ Limited and uneven implementation of the EHR is just one of many reasons this quotation is appropriate. This does not mean that we should ignore the results of current studies that both favor and denigrate the EHR while we monitor and measure its use in the United States.

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