ABSTRACT

This chapter draws attention to an element of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) that is underrepresented in discussions of what information technology can do for the healthcare sector: standards. It demonstrates that the interoperable Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is not a quick technical "fix" that can be "applied" to healthcare systems; healthcare systems must undergo significant transformations to make the interoperable EHR possible. The EHR is a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting. Semantic interoperability provides just one example of how interdependent clinical, administrative, and technical considerations are with one another in the development EHR systems. The interoperable EHR represents a new, high-tech approach to solving an old "problem" in clinical practice: managing and using information more efficiently. The chapter argues that EHR work has the potential to influence academic work, and conversely, academic work has the potential to shape EHR work.