Abstract:

Today’s heath care professionals must be prepared to enter a workforce that is not only digital but information rich. The electronic medical record (EMR) creates a more seamless flow of patient-centered information for health care providers. EMRs have been shown to improve the quality of patient care through: increased accuracy of reporting and diagnosis, improved coordination of care, and improved management of chronic diseases. They also provide greater accuracy of patient medication orders, thereby decreasing the risk of medication related errors. The end result is better patient outcomes. The authors worked in collaboration with: The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, a computer software developer, and a medication management pharmacy, to develop and implement a novel EMR for use as a classroom teaching tool.
The unique features of the education-based EMR include: student evaluation and grading capabilities, student assessment forms, student and faculty privacy settings, and student specific access privileges. These distinctive components allow for greater integration of EMR technology into the classroom when compared with utilizing a practice-based system for student learning.

Keywords:

Electronic Medical Record, Pharmacy Practice Laboratory, Teaching Tool.