4.3 Relationship of clinicians’ knowledge of the EHR, computer skill, and usability
There were also numerous examples of paper use related to participants’ knowledge, skill, or the ease of use of CPRS in terms of finding information. Several of these cases involved CPRS training. Although well-designed EHRs and related health IT should not require extensive training, simply making clinicians aware of functions that can help facilitate their work is critical to avoid continued use of old or redundant paper processes. The VA often has formal workgroups, including clinical endusers, who advise developers on design updates. This practice should be conducted routinely in healthcare organizations that use health IT, as design updates should not be implemented without corresponding involvement from the end-users. Similarly, new employees need a comprehensive demonstration or tutorial of EHR functions that are core to their work processes. One pharmacist noted: “Another issue I’ve seen is that there’s not much education done on order entry. The doctors are left to learn this on the job.”