EHRs Limit Integration Of Behavioral Health & Primary Care Data

The structure of electronic health records (EHR) designed for use in primary care settings do not support integration of behavioral health, according to an observational study of eight primary care clinics and three community mental health centers (CMHCs). The most common challenges were differences in how the EHRs used by each organization documented and tracked behavioral health and physical health information, how the EHRs supported communication and coordination of care among integrated teams, and whether the EHRs allowed information exchange with tablet devices and other EHRs. To address the challenges, the organizations developed work arounds including double documentation and duplicate . . .