Letters: Doctors or statisticians?

Re “Big data equals bad doctoring, and a boycott,” Opinion, Nov. 24

Dr. Michael P. Jones’ lament about change in our industry is a viewpoint shared by many physicians. But unfortunately, change is inevitable. Perceiving electronic medical records (EMR) as little more than a billing tool is like viewing smartphones as mere portable telephones. Both do so much more.

Paper records are really just chronological diaries of our thoughts recorded over a period of time. EMRs allow us to do so much more.

They are portable, so my patients no longer have to wait weeks while I am on vacation for medication refills or test results. I am able to send and receive information instantly. I can provide patients updated lists of their medications, summaries of their office visits and useful education material about their health problems.

I realize this transition away from paper will be difficult for many, but it is long overdue.

Michael Roach, MD

La Mirada

The switch to EMRs is a big social experiment. I have yet to meet one physician who feels that EMRs truly improve patient care; many bemoan the time-consuming and often cumbersome task of electronically chronicling a patient encounter.

And yet familiarizing oneself with the EMR system at one office is just one hurdle, as each physician will also need to be knowledgeable on other EMR systems used by the hospitals where they admit patients. Most of them are different and cannot communicate easily with other systems.

As it stands, this transition is aimed more at proper coding, billing and compliance than improving outcomes, which is really what matters.

If you had asked me a few months ago about a solution, I would have suggested a free government-issued program to be used by all. However, with the disastrous rollout of the Healthcare.gov website, I am no longer sure.

John T. Chiu, MD

Newport Beach

Thanks to Jones for his very thoughtful article on the “old,” more patient-friendly way of treating people that is getting harder and harder to practice under managed care.

Decades ago, health insurance changed into a for-profit scheme. Until that changes, we’ll all be treated like products instead of people.

Eileen Flaxman

Stevenson Ranch

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