Improving communication and involvement in electronic medical records (EMR)
The EngageEMR project explores how patients, families and health professionals communicate when using electronic medical records, particularly when patients move between different healthcare settings or stages of care.
An electronic medical record, or EMR, is a digital record of a person’s health information. It may include information about their medical conditions, medicines, test results and treatment.
The project was funded through Australian Research Project Grant DP220100884 and was administered by Deakin University.
About the research
People with complex healthcare needs may interact with many health professionals during their care. Clear communication is especially important when patients move between healthcare teams or settings, such as when they are admitted to or discharged from hospital.
The project examines how electronic medical records affect communication and the involvement of patients and families in healthcare decisions.
The research has a particular focus on people who:
- come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- have more than one long-term health condition
- take several medicines
- have other complex healthcare needs.
What the project aims to do
The project aims to:
- examine how patients, families and health professionals communicate while using electronic medical records
- understand the personal, organisational and broader social factors that can affect communication
- work with patients, families and health professionals to develop practical ways to improve involvement with electronic medical records
- assess whether these strategies are practical, useful and acceptable to the people who use them.
Project resources
The project has developed resources to help patients and families take part in conversations about their care and electronic medical records.
Video
Watch the video below to find out how patients can be included in communication and activities involving their electronic medical record.
Patient and family information
View the interactive infographic with practical information to help patients and families communicate and take part when electronic medical records are being used.
EngageEMR video - What is an EMR?
Engage EMR translations
Project team
The EngageEMR project brings together researchers from nursing, health, digital health, computing and other disciplines.
Professor Elizabeth Manias, Chief Investigator
Monash Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University
Professor Tracey Bucknall, Chief Investigator
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University; Alfred Care Group, Bayside Health
Professor Kathleen Gray, Chief Investigator
Centre for Digital Transformation of Health, the University of Melbourne
Professor Nilmini Wickramasinghe, Chief Investigator
School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University
Professor Reema Harrison, Chief Investigator
Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research and Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University
Dr Guncag Ozavci, Research Fellow
The University of Melbourne; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University
Dr Corey Adams, Research Fellow
Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University