Health

POLL: Doctors Call for Overhaul of Electronic Health Records

Published

8 years ago

June 4, 2018

STANFORD, Calif., – New research by Stanford Medicine, conducted by The Harris Poll, has found that American physicians want substantial improvements in the way electronic health records (EHRs) work.

In a poll conducted online of over 500 primary care physicians (PCPs), respondents expressed a range of views on the current state of EHRs, the impact EHRs have had on their professional satisfaction, and their potential as clinical tools. The results will be presented today at a national symposium hosted by Stanford Medicine, which will convene health leaders to discuss the future of EHR technology.

Physicians see value in EHRs, but want substantial improvement
Sixty-three percent of physicians think EHRs have generally led to improved patient care, and 66 percent are at least somewhat satisfied with their current systems; however, a large portion see room for improvement.

59 percent think EHRs need a complete overhaul
40 percent believe there are more challenges with EHRs than benefits
Only 18 percent reported being “very satisfied” with their current systems

PCPs point to EHRs as detracting from professional satisfaction and clinical effectiveness; most believe EHRs contribute to physician burnout
PCPs also had much to say on the impact that EHRs had on the quality of their work life. More than half reported that using an EHR detracts from their professional satisfaction and, more importantly, their clinical effectiveness. Even more agreed that EHR use contributed to the number of hours worked daily and believed that EHRs are a large contributing factor to the physician burnout crisis.

The majority of PCPs (54 percent) say using an EHR detracts from their professional satisfaction
Half (49 percent) think using an EHR detracts from their clinical effectiveness
Nearly three-quarters agree EHRs have increased the total number of hours they work daily (74 percent) and that EHRs greatly contribute to physician burnout (71 percent)

Patients and EHRs compete for physician attention
PCPs reported spending a disproportionate amount of time per visit interacting with EHR systems, and many feel that EHRs are competing with their patients for already limited time and attention. On average, over the course of a 20-minute in-person patient visit, PCPs reported spending 12 minutes interacting with the patient, and eight minutes interacting with the EHR system. This does not include another 11 minutes of EHR interaction once the patient visit had concluded.

62 percent of time that PCPs devote to each patient is being spent in the EHR
Seven in 10 (69 percent) say using an EHR takes valuable time away from their patients
Seven in 10 (69 percent) believe EHRs have not strengthened their patient relationships

PCPs value EHRs primarily for data storage, not clinical abilities
Nearly half (44 percent) of PCPs report that the primary value of their EHR is data storage, compared to clinical abilities such as disease prevention/management (3 percent), clinical decision support (3 percent), and patient engagement (2 percent). These responses confirm that physicians largely see EHRs as a storage utility, rather than a clinical tool designed to help them improve patient care.

Ideas for improvement
Those polled believe EHR systems can be improved in the following ways:

Top three short term improvements:

Nearly three in four PCPs (72 percent) would like to see improved EHR user interface design to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce screen time
Almost half of PCPs (48 percent) would like to shift more EHR data entry to support staff
Four in 10 PCPs (38 percent) would like to increase use of highly-accurate voice recording technology that acts as a scribe during patient visits

Top three long term improvements:

Seven out of 10 PCPs (67 percent) think solving interoperability deficiencies in the next decade should be the focus
Nearly half (43 percent) want improved predictive analytics to support disease diagnosis, prevention, and population health management
Nearly one-third of PCPs (32 percent) indicate they would like to see the integration of financial information into the EHR to help patients understand the costs of their care options.

“EHRs have transformed how health care is documented in the U.S., but for all the information we’ve now captured digitally, we are rarely wiser as a result,” said Lloyd Minor, M.D., dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine. “Insights that could lead to better patient care or new medical discoveries remain buried within piles of disconnected data. Moreover, EHR use has eroded professional satisfaction among physicians. This national poll underscores what many physicians have felt for a while: their needs are not reflected enough in the design of these systems. Fixing the problem goes far beyond technology, and it will take many stakeholders working together to make EHRs more user-friendly and capable of achieving their true potential.”

“When we first set out to help Stanford Medicine understand the perceptions of electronic health record systems among primary care physicians, the focus was on identifying what problems doctors are encountering to inform the implementation of future solutions,” said Deana Percassi, Managing Director at The Harris Poll. “The results of this poll underscore the vital role EHRs play in our national health care conversation.”

Stanford Medicine’s EHR National Symposium: setting a new vision for EHRs

Today, Stanford Medicine is hosting a national symposium to discuss the implications of this new research as well as the future of EHRs. Experts in patient care, technology, design thinking, and public policy will convene to reimagine what EHRs can do for physicians and their patients.

The EHR National Symposium Planning Committee is comprised of subject matter experts from a range of backgrounds – the full membership can be found here.

For more information, please visit med.stanford.edu/ehr.html and follow the day’s events and activities using the hashtag #FutureofEHR on social media.

A full copy of the research can be found here: med.stanford.edu/ehr/electronic-health-records-poll-results

Method
The survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Stanford Medicine between March 2 and March 27, 2018 among 521 PCPs licensed to practice in the U.S. who have been using their current EHR system for at least one month. Physicians were recruited via snail mail from the American Medical Association (AMA) Masterfile. Figures for years in practice by gender, region, and primary medical specialty were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population of PCPs in the U.S.

Business

New AdventHealth Middleton Clinic Brings Pediatric Specialists, Urogynecology Near The Villages

Published

6 days ago

October 30, 2026

FNN NEWS

The multispecialty clinic features 24 treatment rooms, pediatric imaging and services designed to bring care closer to Middleton families.

MIDDLETON, Fla. (FNN) — Families in Middleton have a new option for pediatric and women’s specialty care with the opening of the AdventHealth Middleton Multispecialty Clinic, according to an Oct. 29 news release from AdventHealth.

Located at 2274 Alder Ave., the clinic brings together pediatric primary care, pediatric cardiology, pediatric orthopedics and women’s urogynecology services. The facility includes 24 treatment rooms, a pediatric X-ray room and spaces for children’s heart screenings.

Bringing care closer to families

Middleton, a master-planned community along Central Parkway, is home to approximately 1,200 families and households, many with residents who work in and around The Villages, according to the release.

For Jenny Trew, whose family was the first to move to Middleton, the new clinic could mean fewer long trips for routine appointments. She has been driving nearly an hour to Clermont for pediatric care for her 13-year-old twin sons, Jasen and Jackson.

“Going to the pediatrician usually means pulling both boys out of school, taking time away from work and making a day out of something that should be pretty simple,” Trew said in the release.

Having a pediatrician in the neighborhood will make it easier to balance health care appointments with work, school, sports and other activities, she said.

Dr. Vanessa Carroll, chief medical officer of AdventHealth for Children, said proximity matters when families are seeking care for a sick or injured child.

“Parents don’t want to take their child to just any doctor. They want someone they can trust, right around the corner,” Carroll said in the release. “Because when your child is sick or injured, an hour-long drive can feel even farther.”

Expanding women’s specialty services

The clinic also provides urogynecology services, including care for urinary incontinence and pelvic floor conditions.

The location gives women a nearby option for specialized treatment aimed at improving comfort, health and quality of life, according to AdventHealth.

“Women spend so much of their lives caring for others, and it can become very easy to put their own health last,” Kristen Toth, vice president of AdventHealth for Women, said in the release. “We want women to know there is care here for them, too.”

The clinic brings AdventHealth for Children and AdventHealth for Women together at one location to serve families through different stages of life.

Supporting students and schools

Middleton’s early childhood centers, two K-8 schools and high school collectively enroll more than 3,000 students, according to the release.

LeAnne Yerk, principal of The Villages Charter Elementary School, said access to nearby pediatric care supports students’ health and readiness to learn.

“As educators, we see firsthand that a child’s ability to learn, grow and thrive in the classroom is deeply connected to their health and well-being,” Yerk said in the release.

She described the clinic’s proximity to schools as an important resource for students and families, helping connect health care with educational support.

Location and appointments

The AdventHealth Middleton Multispecialty Clinic is located at 2274 Alder Ave., Middleton, Florida.

To schedule an appointment, call:

Pediatric primary care: 352-467-7862
Pediatric cardiology: 352-353-2788
Pediatric orthopedics: 407-303-5687
Women’s urogynecology: 407-303-1380

For online appointment information, visit MyMiddletonPediatrics.com for children’s services or MiddletonUrogyn.com for women’s services.

Health

Buccaneers to Honor Cancer Survivors at Sunday’s Crucial Catch Game, Donating $40K to Research

Published

2 years ago

September 24, 2024

Willie David

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – On Sunday, September 29, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium in a 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The game will be the Buccaneers’ Crucial Catch event, supporting the NFL’s campaign to fight cancer and emphasizing the importance of early detection.

The Buccaneers will continue their tradition of giving back, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation set to donate $40,000 to cancer research, raising their total contributions to over $550,000 in the last 13 years. Funds will benefit key cancer organizations including AdventHealth West Florida Foundation, Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, and more.

Throughout the game, fans, players, and partners will “Raise the Flags” for loved ones affected by cancer. Fans will receive a custom mini-poster to show their support. At halftime, cancer survivors Bianca Muniz and Elana Gilbert will take the stage for an emotional performance honoring those impacted by cancer.

Official Crucial Catch merchandise will be available, with all proceeds supporting the American Cancer Society’s mission to provide screenings to underserved communities.

Health

AdventHealth awards $1.4 million to 6 nonprofits addressing urgent workforce needs in Central Florida

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2024

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. — AdventHealth is distributing nearly $1.4 million over the next three years to the 2024 recipients of its Community Impact Grants, giving six Central Florida nonprofits the chance to bolster their missions and help bring prosperity and wholeness to the community by training the workforce of tomorrow.

This year’s Community Impact Grants are focused on one of Central Florida’s top community health concerns, addressing critical workforce development needs in the health care, construction, hospitality and tourism industries, by funding programs that will provide job training, internship and apprenticeship opportunities and education assistance. Workforce development was selected as the priority for this year’s grants based on input from residents in the triannual Community Health Needs Assessment, building on investments made in 2023 that focused on mental health.

“At AdventHealth, we talk a lot about whole-person care, and we also realize that a person’s health is determined by so much more than just the health care setting,” said JB Boonstra, executive director of Community Advocacy for AdventHealth. “We know that employment is one of the most significant social determinants of health and a key part of that is earning a living wage. This year’s spotlight on workforce development speaks directly to that.”

The median income for a household in the Orlando area is about $43,000, the Department of Labor reports — not even close to the wage needed to live in Florida for a family of four, which is about $66,300, according to the United Way’s ALICE report.

“Almost half the people who go to work every day don’t make enough money to pay the bills, and one of the biggest challenges we see here in Central Florida in terms of workforce development is access to career opportunities,” said Marc Stanakis, president and CEO of Jobs Partnership, one of this year’s grant recipients. “For a lot of people in our community, they just don’t know what’s available or what types of jobs they can pursue that would allow them to get on a career path toward economic mobility. For organizations like ours, it’s really exciting to see the change that happens by simply opening the door of opportunity for someone.”

The 2024 grant recipients:

CareerSource Central Florida’s Community Health Champions program aims to create a career pipeline into the health care industry. Whatever roadblocks residents are facing, including language barriers, transportation challenges or unreliable Internet access for applying to jobs, CareerSource Central Florida offers a variety of vocational training and internship opportunities to overcome them. CSCF is upskilling health care workers who are culturally competent, empathetic and equipped to connect with the diverse populations they serve, making health care more accessible and impactful. Training goes beyond job skills, focusing on understanding and addressing the unique needs of community members.
The Sharing Center’s ProjectRISE, which, in addition to the organization’s food pantry, homeless resource center and thrift store, aims to address poverty and assist residents in accessing higher-paying jobs. Funding for ProjectRISE will allow 360 residents to enroll in a four-week comprehensive workforce development program focused on building emotional intelligence, soft skills and job-acquisition skills.
employU’s vocational rehabilitation program serves residents with mental and physical disabilities as part of the organization’s mission to create inclusive workplaces. Acting as a one-stop shop for career development and employment resources, employU provides employment training, paid work experience, job placement and job retention support. The organization will use the grant to fund new initiatives to help individuals access community resources and prepare for employment through workshops on financial literacy, social media safety and workplace readiness. It will also fund a program manager position to reach more residents and ultimately help them achieve financial independence.
Home Builders Institute BuildStrong Academy of Orlando is a tuition-free program delivering industry-recognized skills to train a new generation of home builders looking to break into the construction industry. The Academy offers career-focused education through hands-on learning, classroom instruction and real-life experience. Students train with skilled trades instructors who guide them through HBI’s nationally and industry recognized Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training curriculum and receive job placement assistance upon graduation, helping build a pipeline of residential and commercial construction workers.
iBuild Central Florida’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program is an innovative approach in attracting more people to jobs in the telecommunications construction industry, which is currently facing mass shortages nationwide. Based at Osceola Technical College, the program targets students enrolled in English language-acquisition and GED classes, 80% of whom live below the federal poverty line.
Jobs Partnership’s Stepping Up program equips residents who are unemployed or working low-wage jobs, combining soft skills training, career navigation and vocational training scholarships. Since its founding in 1999, the organization has served more than 3,300 people, empowering them to change their professional trajectories and developing a career pipeline into the health care industry. Last year, 79% of participants got a new job or started vocational training after completing the program.

Among the organizations that received grants, two are focused on bolstering the construction workforce. Central Florida’s lack of construction workers has contributed to a lack of affordable and attainable housing, with median home prices reaching $440,000, according to the Orlando Regional Realtors Association. And as the state wrangles with a shortfall of nearly 436,000 rental units, renters — who make up a third of the region’s population — have also watched rents skyrocket, hitting $1,600 a month for a one-bedroom unit.

“Virtually every industry is experiencing labor shortages, but the construction industry is significantly undersupplied,” said Emily Price, senior vice president of development and partnerships engagement for the Home Builders Institute. “The construction industry needs approximately 732,000 new workers each year to meet demand.”

Recognizing that employment and access to housing go hand in hand, Crystal Davidson, vice president of iBuild Central Florida, said creating a pipeline into the construction industry addresses multiple challenges. “They’ll be in a career field in the construction industry where they won’t want for a job for at least the next 25 years,” Davidson said, “because there is such a skills trade shortage across the United States, but especially in Florida.”

For more than 115 years, AdventHealth has called Central Florida home, and as a not-for-profit organization, has the privileged duty to invest financial resources into the community. In 2023 alone, AdventHealth contributed nearly $1.3 billion in community investments in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and South Lake counties, allowing more residents to access the medical care they need and deserve and supporting local nonprofit organizations.

“Investing in our community is a responsibility that AdventHealth treats very seriously and passionately, because we’ve seen the transformation that happens with these dollars,” said Tricia Edris, chief innovation and partnerships officer for AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division. “AdventHealth is proud to bring these six organizations together to now tackle issues around workforce development. It’s too big a problem for just one of us to solve. We must come together as a community.”