Table 3

Outcome measurement description of studies reporting on the use of EMR functions

AuthorOutcomeEMR featureOutcome measurement description
Jerome et al40Per cent change in use of EBM literature requestDecision support
  • Change was measured by obtaining number of literature requests by healthcare providers.

Baer et al26Per cent of new EMR generated reminders on colon and breast cancer screeningDecision support
  • Data entered into the EMR was saved in a firewall-protected server to be used in the study.

  • Participants were also contacted by phone for an interview.

Mavigilia et al27Frequency of use of KnowledgeLinkDecision support
  • Participants were emailed an online questionnaire after every incident of use of the KnowledgeLink feature along with a more extensive questionnaire at the end of the study.

  • Data on use was collected by analysing search logs or through patient consent.

Kortteisto et al28Change in number of reminders triggeredAlerts and reminders
  • Reminders were triggered automatically on use.

  • The EMR system was used to calculate the number of reminders triggered.

Nemeth et al29Per cent of nurses and nursing staff using the health maintenance templateHealth template
  • Primary healthcare practices submitted the EMR data electronically on a quarterly basis to the Practice Partner Net.

  • Data were then used to measure the use of the Health Maintenance Template.

Kruse et al30Per cent of referrals through EMR to tobacco use control centreExchange of patient healthcare information
  • Measured through access to EMR records and Tobacco Treatment Coordinator centres.

Maddocks et al31Change in provided preventive care testingExchange of patient healthcare information
  • The rate of patients tested was calculated by dividing the number of patients that visit the primary healthcare centres by the number of patients tested per year.

Davis et al 32Per cent use of asthma templateHealth template
  • Preintervention data were collected by retrospectively reviewing patient records, while post intervention data were collected through a chart review of the patients with asthma seen by residents.

  • EMR, electronic medical record.