Koby:
Time taken by staff: that is a bit hard to answer. It is just a workflow issue. In addition to above: they ask patients at check in for email address for example. Once it is there - nurse can configure portal, which may take 10 seconds / to push the records. So overall, once the staff gets used to new workflow they are fine.
Nobody ever complained. I guess in this day and age, where private practices are dwindling and big practices seem to be norm, it may be hard to find job to ones likes. They work as you tell them. They will still have time to talk about their husbands, children, birthday, life etc...
If I have to give you an anology : when we had paper records - they would enter the vitals on papers; the same work - now they enter into computer. I cannot ask how long does it take, it takes what it takes. No other option.
They save time on copying the xray result for eg., stuffing into envelope, putting a first class stamp and take it to the area for outgoing mail. Now they push the info into portal. So give or take few secs.
So, all in all, we had mind to do it. We did it. If you have mind to do it, you will do it. Give or take few mins lost there, few mins gained here. Hard to keep track of precise minutes. So is life.
Many of the doctors I know have done it: One Ob gyn and one FB has allscrpts and did it I believe in second quarter and already got paid.
My secondary speciality is hospice and palliative medicine (board certified). But I feel this is not certifiable, though many feel it is a DNR status for their practices and wasting resources fighting the implementation.
You can do it too. Don't give up.
Mind and application is how I would put it. It will all equalize at the end.
