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Pediatric ophthalmologists face unique challenges in adopting EHRs
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 Michael F. Chiang |
SAN ANTONIO — In adopting electronic health records, there are challenges for pediatric ophthalmology that other subspecialties do not face, a speaker said here.
"Ophthalmology is small, and [pediatric ophthalmology is] smaller, so it's easy for people to ignore us because of that," Michael F. Chiang, MD, said at the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus meeting.
Implementation of the HITECH Act of 2009 began in 2011 with incentives for those who adopt EHRs and will end with penalties starting in 2015 for those who do not.
"Technology in general really does have the potential to improve the quality and cost of health care," Dr. Chiang said.
For pediatric ophthalmologists, one of the challenges is that the workflow is complex and there is no standardized electronic pediatric ophthalmology exam form. Without such a standardized form, it is difficult to exchange data. Furthermore, ophthalmology in general relies heavily on photography, and pediatric ophthalmology in particular relies further on drawings and annotations, he said.
"The good news is that many pediatric ophthalmologists are already active in this area, but more work needs to be done," Dr. Chiang said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Chiang has no relevant financial disclosures.