Acute EMR Usability 2017
Physician Leaders Say There is Still Work to be Done

1. No Vendor Comes Close to Providing Ideal Usability

All vendors receive low physician-usability marks from customers. While usability expectations differ between customer bases, Cerner, Epic, and MEDITECH are nearly tied when it comes to how well physician leaders feel their vendor delivers a usable experience. These three vendors have all made enhancements to their systems that have improved physician efficiency; customers often attribute their usability satisfaction largely to having customization options, better training, and a more intuitive user interface. Though not considered a usability standout by physician leaders, Epic does lead all other vendors in overall EMR performance, among end user and C-Level physicians, by a large margin due to better customer relationships, highly functional technology, and expansive enterprise functionality.

2. MEDITECH Makes Big Usability Gains

MEDITECH is one of only two vendors that has seen large gains in usability since 2015. Organizations that have moved to 6.1 report the greatest jumps in satisfaction; 6.1’s quicker, more intuitive web-based user interface more closely meets expectations, and users have an increased ability to tailor system options to match physician preferences. These improvements have helped ease some of the documentation load previously faced by physicians. With v.13, McKesson has also made some strides in improving usability, through improved system speed and a better user interface but must still make significant improvements to catch up with the rest of the EMR vendors.

3. Cerner's Dynamic Documentation and MPages Enhance Physician Experience and Efficiency

Physician leaders state that Cerner’s Dynamic Documentation and MPages have made a positive difference for Millennium PowerChart users, who are now able to implement a high degree of customization. The functionalities have been available for several years, but physician leadership feel the features are now starting to be used to help improve usability on an individual physician basis. The tools have helped physicians improve and speed up the documentation process.

4. Epic's Usability Remains Stable and Consistent

Epic’s physician usability has remained consistent over the past four years, and Epic leads EMR vendors in overall physician satisfaction. Leadership at Epic organizations are often satisfied with the Epic tool set and with the breadth of functionality that Epic’s systems cover; the training offered organizations offer can make a significant difference in physician leadership’s satisfaction with EMR usability. Epic has enhanced physicians’ ability to treat patients by enabling them to access useful information, such as test results and images, at the patient’s bedside.

5. Allscripts Not Seen as Primary Driver for Physician Usability

Two-thirds of Allscripts customers feel they are the primary drivers of their physicians’ usability success – stating that although Allscripts delivers a flexible product, much of the needed build and customizations fall providers’ shoulders. All other customers (one-third) interviewed report that usability efforts are an equal partnership. Many of these leaders feel that Allscripts has made some improvements with recent upgrades and that satisfaction with usability largely depends on individual physicians and their willingness to set up the customization options available within Allscripts SCM. Additionally, multiple respondents state that adequate, ongoing training is a key differentiator between satisfied and unsatisfied physicians.