Yes, You've Noticed Correctly - Your EHR Inbox Has Gotten Fuller

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

Yes, You've Noticed Correctly - Your EHR Inbox Has Gotten Fuller

Oct 15, 2021, 09:37 AM by MSDC Staff

A study in JAMA Open Source reveals time spent on EHR increased during the pandemic even with a decreased in-person patient volume.

A new JAMA Network Open study confirms what physicians have suspected this year: your EHR inbox message volume is increasing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can view the study here.

Researchers tracked deidentified Epics EHR metadata between March 2018 and June 2021 in a large ambulatory practice network in New England. During the first 15 months of the public health emergency, primary care physicians saw an increase from 45 EHR messages to 46 per day. Non-primary care physicians who were not surgeons saw an increase from 29.3 to 32.0 EHR messages per day.

Related to this, screen time with EHRs also increased. PCPs saw an increase from 21.7 to 25.1 minutes per day staring at an EHR, 13.4 to 15.6 for non-PCP non-surgeons, and 7.6 to 11.1 minutes per day for surgeons. Researchers noted this may be an underestimate due to how the data was tracked; for example reviewing notes, related to a message would not have counted in this time.

Even more concerning, the tracked practice saw this increase as patient volume decreased due to delayed surgeries and stay-at-home orders. Patient phone calls also did not decrease, meaning more work with fewer in-person patients.

Unfortunately, this data reinforces that physician burnout is a major concern and has many factors, some unexpected but real.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.