A modern, integrated workforce needs to be supported by an integrated electronic patient records system.

A modern, integrated workforce needs to be supported by an integrated electronic patient records system. Electronic records provide greater continuity of care and assist in providing a more holistic picture of a patient’s history. More integrated records could also assist with the collection of data, helping workforce and system planning. The reduction in paperwork from better use of IT may also save time for healthcare staff, although there is a chance that an electronic administrative system may take a similar amount of time to input.

Proposed workforce impact

• The potential for improved integration between children’s and adult services, though this may be dependent upon education and social care sectors linking with the health sector.
• A more flexible working across different sectors could emerge.

Sources or references

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15360881
• http://www.accenture.com/gb-en/Pages/success-integrated-health-system-electronic-medical-records-summary.aspx

Additional research questions

• Is the possible development of integrated healthcare records wholly dependent on system integration?
• What efficiency gains would there be with improved healthcare records?

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.