There are both advantages and disadvantages to electronic medical records. Many argue that positive aspects of employing a medical records system outweigh disadvantages. Even though the investment in electronic medical records systems is at first costly, most argue that over time this outset cost will result in greater savings for both clinicians and health insurance companies.

As well as cost saving, many cite one advantage of medical records is that they save space. Instead of keeping huge paper files on patients, all records are kept on computer files. Though someone must store these records in computers, this still represents a small percentage of the space required to store physical records.

Along with saved space is reduction of paper needed by medical offices, hospitals or insurance companies. Computer medical records do not render paper obsolete, but they certainly do reduce needed paper significantly.

Another advantage of electronic medical records is the ability for all in a health care team to coordinate care. This helps avoid duplication of testing, prescribing medicines that in combination might be dangerous, and the ability for anyone on the medical team to understand the approaches taken to a condition. A person with complex health issues may see several specialists, and can easily become confused by overlapping or contrary advice. When specialists and primary care doctors use the same system for electronic medical records, then everyone on the team should be aware of all the other team members’ actions and recommendations.

Electronic medical records may save time as well. Though faxing and email assisted one doctor to get information from another doctor or a laboratory, there was generally a wait time. When a doctor has instant access to all of a patient’s information, including things like x-rays, lab tests, and information about prescriptions or allergies, he or she is empowered to act right away, thus saving time. This may be particularly helpful in emergency situations where a patient cannot answer questions about medical history due to extreme illness or injury.

Many doctors are often considered to have undecipherable handwriting, and though this is a generalization, unclear writing can lead to mistakes. Typed information is less likely to create misunderstandings. However, electronic medical records do not rule out the occasional typo.

In fact, one concern about the use of electronic medical records is that doctors may have a significant learning curve when these programs are first employed. A poor typist may actually take a long time to input information. Doctors often have to be their own medical clerks especially during an office visit, and a doctor distracted by confusing technology may not be as alert to a patient’s symptoms or needs.

There is no single electronic medical records source or system, so different hospitals and individual clinicians are not all using the same program. This negates the possibility of instant information for all on the medical team, since one program may not mesh with another.

Some patients express concern that electronic medical records might be hacked and exploited by others. Since one of the first considerations of medical treatment is confidentiality, it may remain concerning just how many people might have access to all one’s medical records. Misuse of private medical information could create problems for people who have conditions they wish to keep private.

Despite these concerns, it appears many doctors and hospitals are now attempting to use electronic medical records. It remains unclear how long it will take for old files with long medical histories to be updated into electronic means. It also seems that employing electronic means to store data still requires some thought so that information and systems are uniform.