My Boo... is My EHR (When It Actually Works for Me)

🎤 The Performance That Sparked a Thousand Memes

Remember the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show?

That moment when Usher slid behind Alicia Keys at the piano and held her just a little too close—and the entire internet said “Whew, not too much, Usher!” The side-eyes, the memes, the group chat screenshots—it was instant chaos. (But I wouldn't mind if he held me close... I kid, I kid).

Still, when their voices synced? It was magic. Two professionals, each with distinct strengths, creating harmony through timing, trust, and chemistry.

And oddly enough, that’s the vision I have for how technology—especially your EHR—should work in your practice. It doesn’t need to overpower. It just needs to be in sync.

🩺 Why Your EHR Feels Like a Bad Relationship

Most EHRs weren’t built for physicians. They were built to meet documentation, billing, and compliance needs—not to support your clinical reasoning or workflow.

Here’s what usually goes wrong:

• Minimal training focused only on basic functions

• Generic templates not aligned with your specialty

• No time or support for optimization

• Lack of ongoing adjustment as workflows evolve

The result: constant friction, lost time, and missed opportunities to let the system actually help you.

🎶 Your EHR Can Be a Stronger Practice Partner

When properly configured, your EHR can:

• Track trends across your patient panel

• Generate alerts and reminders

• Document efficiently through templates and shortcuts

• Coordinate work among your clinical team

• Surface data that informs clinical decisions

But it needs you to set the tone. It works best when it enhances—not disrupts—how you think and care.

🛠️ Practical EHR Optimization Tips for Busy Clinicians

These quick wins can help you regain control without adding to your workload.

1. Know Your Workflow Style

Identify your documentation preferences:

• Real-time vs. end-of-day note completion

• Linear vs. flexible patient encounter flow

Then:

• Reorder tabs or modules to follow your clinical process

• Set your default views to show what you need first

2. Build and Use Smart Phrases

Create shortcut text for common phrases and instructions.

Examples:

• Counseling scripts (e.g., anticipatory guidance, diet/lifestyle counseling)

• Medication instructions

• Follow-up plans

Start with your three most repeated phrases. Expand from there.

3. Embrace Voice Dictation (When It Works for You)

Speaking your note can feel more natural than typing—and save time.

Tips:

• Use it for the HPI or assessment

• Keep your voice relaxed and conversational

• Review quickly to catch minor errors

4. Customize Templates by Visit Type

Generic templates slow you down. Tailor yours for:

• Well visits

• Follow-ups

• Acute care

• Behavioral health

Keep only what you need. Organize fields to follow your usual pattern of thinking.

🤝 Bring Your Team into the Optimization Process

Your EHR experience isn’t just yours—it affects the whole care team.

Ways to improve as a group:

• Hold short “EHR check-in” meetings monthly

• Ask nurses and MAs for input on workflow gaps

• Create shared documentation tools (e.g., intake templates)

• Assign tasks appropriately using delegation tools

When everyone’s EHR setup reflects their responsibilities, the entire clinic moves more efficiently.

🔍 Leverage Underused Features That Actually Help

Most systems have powerful tools hidden in plain sight. Explore:

• Clinical decision support (e.g., risk scores, guideline nudges)

• Population health dashboards for chronic condition follow-up

• Quality reporting tools to track real-time performance

• Internal chat for quick, traceable communication

• Patient portal education and messaging features

Try enabling or optimizing just one feature per quarter. Small steps, big impact.

🧠 Track the Right Metrics to Know It’s Working

You’ll know your EHR relationship is improving when:

• Notes are completed during or shortly after visits

• Fewer after-hours tasks accumulate

• Team roles and workflows are clearly defined

• Preventive care and quality targets are easier to meet

• Patients engage more via the portal or care summaries

Consider tracking:

• Time to note completion

• Number of clicks or logins per visit

• Quality measure performance

• Team satisfaction with documentation flow

🎵 From Frustration to Flow

Just like that halftime show duet, the best partnerships require intention and alignment. You don’t need your EHR to lead—you need it to harmonize.

Start with:

• One change to improve your personal workflow

• One customization to save your team time

• One feature to explore or learn this month

Your EHR doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to stop getting in the way—and start helping you do what you do best.

© 2025 The VBC Whisperer | Dr. Janell Wilson