Can Your Practice Survive Without An Electronic Health Record (EHR)?

Online, February 1, 2013 (Newswire.com) - As a growing number of health providers are facing the reality that Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are unavoidable, many mental and behavioral health professionals do not have the basic knowledge they need to make informed choices about EHRs. In a majority of medical and mental health practices, EHRs are a cornerstone in enhancing efficiency and comprehensive care delivery. Dr. Marlene Maheu, Executive Director of the TeleMental Health Institute, is a nationally renowned telehealth expert who has closely followed the development and advancement of EHRs.

Maheu commented, "The time of reckoning has come. For over two decades, we've seen behavioral and mental health professionals be some of the last to adopt computers, fax machines, cell phones, the Internet, email, video and now EHRs. With worldwide health care running full speed toward technology adoption, we in behavioral and mental health care cannot sustain our already eroding pay scales if we do not share the documentation systems rapidly being installed in every major hospital and physician office in the U.S. Professionals who plan to still be working in the next 3-5 years need to be better informed."

This February, Dr. Maheu is teaming with Lisette Wright, M.A., HITPro-CP, a senior associate executive with OPENMINDS, to present a free, 1-hour webinar entitled, Future Practice Survival Kit! An Electronic Health Record (EHR) Primer For The Reluctant Clinician to help medical professionals better understand the ins and outs of utilizing and purchasing an EHR system. In addition to having a background in clinical psychology, Ms. Wright works full-time providing executive team consultation on technology initiatives and systems, including all aspects of EHR selections and implementations.

Dr. Maheu is excited to collaborate with Ms. Wright in presenting this webinar, which is designed for mental health professionals, substance abuse treatment specialists, home health care professionals, physicians assistants and nurse practitioners, as well as medical professionals such as psychiatrists, internists, pediatricians, and gerontologists. "Now is the time for us to make wise choices about the options we face. This webinar will point the forward-thinking professional in the right direction. It will give the listener a checklist of topics to implement immediately."

Webinar attendees will be introduced to the reasons EHRs will be crucial to practice survival as well as the dangers of not implementing an EHR. Ms. Wright will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of getting an EHR now and will help the audience understand relevant factors in determining how to choose an EHR that meets the needs of their practice. She will also address issues relevant to HIPAA, including security, privacy, and cloud-based EHRs. "It is important for every mental health professional to be educated about EHR's. Better to adopt the technology at your own pace rather than wait for a payer to mandate it and give you only 6 months to comply."

The TeleMental Health Institute's webinar, Future Practice Survival Kit! An Electronic Health Record (EHR) Primer For The Reluctant Clinician will broadcast Monday, February 25, 2012 at 3 PM Eastern/12 PM Pacific. The webinar is free to mental health professionals and technology developers. The TMH Institute will also offer 1-CEU credit and a recording of the event to professionals for a $32.50 fee: