Electronic Medical Records

In the June 24, 2008 issue of The New York Times, the editorial "Our Pen-and-Paper Doctors" bemoans the snails pace at which American doctors are converting to modern technologies, especially when compared to physicians from other countries. It goes on to say that without this conversion, the benefits of healthcare reform will become irrelevant.

Money, not enough of it, of course, is always to blame. But inertia is also at work here. For this country to improve the delivery of healthcare and reduce the financial burden of paying for it, not only must the institutional barriers that currently exist be broken down, but the healthcare paradigm must change to one of preventive care rather than curative care. Today, with the costs of drugs and technology so high, it often seems that profits drives the healthcare system. Since so much of healthcare is now in the hands of corporate structures [providers, suppliers, drug companies and insurers], whose only responsibility is to deliver quarterly profits to shareholders, the health of the nation is at risk. Yes, we can develop the greatest drugs and the most advanced research tools and technologies. But to really make a difference in the health of the nation, we must get back to the basics and change bad habits and live healthier lifestyles.

Institutional change is always hard. But until our country makes the committment to change the way we do things, which will require sacrifices from all of us, things will not improve. There are too many vested interests in staying the course.