Physician experience with the Epic electronic health record (EHR) system: longitudinal findings from an emergency department implementation

Objectives In June 2019, The Ottawa Hospital launched the Epic electronic health record system, which transitioned all departments from a primarily paper-based system to an electronic system using a 1-day “big bang” approach. We sought to evaluate emergency physicians’ satisfaction with system implementation and perception of its impact on clinical practice in an academic emergency department (ED) setting. Methods Four electronic surveys were distributed to staff during pre-implementation (1-month prior [May 2019]) and post-implementation (1-month [July 2019], 9-month [March 2020], and 20-month [February 2021]) time periods. 5-point Likert scales were used to rate agreement with statements. Responses were compared using the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel trend test to assess for significant differences. Results Response rates were consistent, ranging between 41 and 51%, with the exception of +9 months which was 27%. The majority of respondents were staff, working 8–15 shifts/month, with ≤ 10 years in practice. General satisfaction and confidence improved substantially from pre-implementation to 20 months post-implementation. Personalization sessions were perceived as not effective and lacking in quality, particularly immediately after Epic launch. Although clinical workflow tasks got easier, there were sustained challenges in efficiency and patient flow, including number of patients seen/hour, time spent after shift-end, and time spent on post-shift documentation. Conclusions Although satisfaction and system confidence improved over time, there were sustained difficulties in overall efficiency long after implementation, with opportunities for future optimization. Training was lacking in terms of relevance to emergency physician workflow. These factors should be considered in future electronic health record implementations in ED settings.