237373 Impact of integrating medical and dental records on research, policy, and healthcare workforce

Monday, October 31, 2011

Susan Hester, PhD , Institute for Improvement of Minority Health and Health Disparities in the Delta Region, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Warren A. Jones, MD, FAAFP , Mississippi Institute for Improvement of Geographic Minority Health, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Research has shown that more than 120 systemic diseases originate in the oral cavity. Oral disease increases risk factors for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory diseases. The integration of electronic medical and dental health records (EMDHR) provides a multitude of benefits for patients and providers, e.g., improved decision making, patient safety, accurate real-time information, reduced costs. The lack of systematic integration poses challenges to providers, e.g., duplication and inconsistencies between records, and structural barriers. As the healthcare field moves to advance the integration of EMDHRs, research and policy issues surrounding workflow, education and training of the current (and future) healthcare workforce, and the impact of this integration on patient care and health outcomes must be addressed. This paper examines the importance of a seamless integration of medical and dental records within the developing electronic healthcare environment. Implications of this integration on research and policy issues as well as patient care and the healthcare workforce will be discussed with participants.

Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health

Learning Objectives:
1) Discuss benefits and barriers to the integration of electronic medical/dental health records (EMDHR); 2)List relevant research and policy issues associated with the integration of EMDHRs; 3) Discuss implications of the integration of EMDHRs on the current (and future) healthcare workforce

Keywords: Health Information Systems, Challenges and Opportunities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked with colleagues in the fields of Oral Health and Health Information Management to review the impact of integrating dental and medical records on research and policy issues as well as workforce issues.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Oral Health Promotion: Programs and Policies
See more of: Oral Health