Ethical and Social Implications


Copy and paste method causes issues of copying other healthcare provider’s notes. Providers see the medical summary of patients and they are tempted to copy the record instead of asking the same questions again specific to their needs. This idea is legal only if they give credit to the other provider for using the same data. However, it is still considered unethical to skip the assessment of the patient which may lead to inaccurate results and style of treatment. Electronic health records allows easier access for more shortcuts for busy medical professionals (Bernat). Summary visits are also unethical because it does not provide enough medical information needed for passing off the patients to new physicians. Usually a discharge summary should have all of the details of the tests that were performed and the results. It should be precise and helpful for the next health care provider. However, some discharge papers do not contain all the pertinent information and results in miscommunication. Some other hospitals provide too much information. For example, it would be several pages long with unnecessary information that doctors do not need which takes away the time for assessment (Bernat). The aspect of prepopulated data brings up concerns for ethical and legal reasons. Electronic health records brings up relevant templates that doctors can easily see and ask relevant questions to the patient. They are able to go through and put yes or no and there is a spot for additional notes. Many providers skip the notes section and just fill out yes or no in a busy facility. This does not provide enough information to assess the patient. Just relying on the templates prevent providers to ask other relevant questions that are necessary especially in busy hospitals (Bernat). Electronic health records seems to affect patient-provider experience. With electronic health records, it is required for providers to use a computer or a laptop. There has been some issues with providers not facing the patients but more on the computer and note taking. This has frustrated patients because they want compassionate care. Paper notes allowed providers to face the patients jotting some information down on a piece of paper (Bernat). Researchers have found that an average of one medication error occurs on a patient per day (Electronic Health Records).