What is the Required Training for Staff to Be Proficient in Using the EHR System?

Following best practices for EHR system training may improve a provider's willingness and ability to use the system effectively. It can help providers and staff maximize the benefits of the program, which in turn improves clinical practices and overall performance in every practice.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services report that EHR efficiency reduces medical billing errors, improves the sharing of health information, reduces duplication of unneeded tests, and improves accuracy in clinical records. Without proper training that helps physicians and practices feel comfortable using the software, these benefits are not realized.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, among other organizations, states that when physicians use EHR systems, it directly translates into clinical benefits for patients.

The question, then, is what are the best practices for EHR system training? Consider these steps to ensure training is both practical and engaging for staff and providers.

Create an Effective and Comprehensive EHR Training Plan

The transition from paper-based to electronic healthcare systems is a significant leap, and numerous components must come together for efficient adoption. Planning can alleviate nearly all the obstacles organizations face. Consider these steps in building an EHR training plan:

• Set objectives: Develop specific goals for implementing these tools. Goals may include improved efficiency, adoption of automation skills, enhanced patient engagement, reduced expenses, or other specific objectives tailored to your practice.

• Create a timeline: The time required for EHR training depends on the employee's skills and the time you can allocate for them to learn. Options include online training, in-person training programs, or a combination of both. A hands-on training program is a third option in which a trained professional visits your practice to provide skill-based training.

• Staff assessment: Conduct a staff assessment that outlines the current skill levels of your team, including their proficiency in technology use, and determine whether refresher programs for computer skills are necessary.

Developing a plan that addresses the unique needs of your core team is essential. Work with the EHR provider to gain insight into what training success and implementation look like for that program.

Select Your Superusers

After initial insights and assessments, you may have one or more employees who will serve as your superusers, the individuals most likely to use the system immediately and on an ongoing basis. These individuals are the front line of your training program and must be provided with the most comprehensive education and hands-on experience as they learn. In short, they become your go-to expert.

These individuals typically need more advanced training. This could include in-person training or a more one-on-one level of training with experts in the program. They then become your experts in your company, capable of supporting the questions of others.

Build an EHR Training Team

With your superusers assigned, you'll want to build a training team that implements the system after they receive the necessary training. This team should include:

• Superusers: Identify team members for initial training and support.

• Physician or medical information officer: This party serves as an intermediary between the technical staff and frontline users.

• Develop department heads as needed: In larger organizations, it is essential to establish a lead.

• Project management: This person oversees the training schedule and serves as a liaison between the vendor and the staff.

• EHR consultant: This professional is responsible for hands-on training and works directly with the EHR system provider. They can provide help through go-live events and may also be the target for the training-the-trainer program.

Implement Training and Feedback Sessions

EHR system training is always specific to the product as provided by the system provider. However, by establishing individualized training schedules suitable for each employee, you create opportunities for comfortable, eased-in growth that lasts.

Note that there should also always be a post-training feedback session initially and over time. This enables leaders to address EHR post-training questions, improve adoption, overcome specific areas of struggle, and keep staff up-to-date on implementation progress.

Effective EHR System Training Offers Numerous Benefits

The use of a robust training program typically offers benefits to companies:

• Practices get the most out of the system.

• It promotes full productivity and efficient workflows at every stage of the implementation process.

• Practical training eliminates the need for self-taught skill adoption, which often causes errors or oversights.

• The risk of employee burnout is lower.

• Accuracy and patient care improve.

Creating an effective training program enables organizations to fully leverage the numerous tools and resources that an EHR system offers. It also provides an opportunity to start seeing the benefits of the technology sooner.

Working alongside your EHR consultant can help you learn what specific required training models are available and develop a cohesive plan that allows for robust, efficient training that your staff can appreciate.

Turn to TempDev to learn about NextGen EHR adoption and re-engineer your practice. Contact us for more information and resources.