Experiences and Learnings of Allied Health EMR Builders Embedded into Clinical Teams
Ella Sexton1, Kimberly Cheah1, Amy Bowman1, Darcy Jongebloed1, James Hibbard1, Julia Staples1,2,3,4, Kath Feely1,2,3,4 1Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia2The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia3The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia4The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Abstract
Background: Enabling allied health (AH) clinicians to design and implement electronic medical record (EMR) change is rare, despite the opportunity it provides to enhance digital health innovations, clinical efficiency and patient outcomes. An initiative at a specialist cancer hospital in Melbourne, Australia aimed to improve AH documentation, engagement with hospital EMR build projects, collaboration with EMR digital health team and clinician-builder skill development. This presentation describes the initiative, outcomes, and perspective of AH clinicians involved in EMR-builder roles as part of a digital health and technology program.
Method: Four AH clinicians were seconded to builder roles for 0.1 EFT (n=2) or 0.2 EFT (n=2) from 2022-23. The AH-builders completed specific build training and worked with the EMR leadership team to scope, develop and deliver AH-led EMR projects. Feedback and personal reflections were collated from the AH-builders. A survey measured the helpfulness, relevance and participant confidence with using the EMR following an education session.
Results: Project outcomes were improved knowledge of EMR, greater data integrity, and improved usability and design of key clinical workflow areas for AH clinicians. AH-builder led personalisation and education showed improvement in self-reported knowledge and capability for 100% of participants with 90% reporting the sessions were helpful (n=21).
Discussion: AH-builders are uniquely placed to enhance the efficacy of the EMR as they are embedded in current clinical practice and offer practical insight and experience. To optimise adherence to current evidence-based practice and new policy recommendations, clinician-builders are integral to digital health design.
Biography
Ella Sexton is a Clinical Psychologist and Kimberly Cheah is an Oncology Social Worker at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Ella and Kimberly have both worked at Peter Mac since 2020. Ella holds a Master of Psychology (Clinical) from the University for Melbourne. Kimberly holds a Master of Counselling from Monash University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Melbourne. They share a passion for harnessing technology to improve patient outcomes and clinical practice. Alongside their clinical roles, Ella and Kim contribute to digital health improvements and team education through their Electronic Medical Record clinician-builder roles.