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Karen Smith, M.D.
Physician in Raeford for extensive use of medical records in an individual practice.
Karen Smith, M.D. is a perfect example of a rural family physician that is remaking American medicine in the 21 st century. Dr Smith, a graduate of Duke University and Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, is an innovator in rural Family Medicine. When she needs information on one of her patients, Dr. Smith doesn't retrieve it from a storage room of files. Dr. Smith, a solo practitioner, is able to save valuable time by pulling up the patient information that she needs on a computer screen. Dr. Smith has totally replaced paper medical records with electronic health records.
Her practice, in a diverse and underserved area, is a model for the benefits of easily retrievable electronic health information. "This allows my practice to be more efficient so I can spend quality time with my patients and my family," she said. A 1992 graduate of the Duke/Southern Regional Area Health Education Center Family Medicine Residency Program in Fayetteville, Dr. Smith recognizes the need for today's practicing physicians and medical students to learn how to manage patient data electronically. "I want them to see that it is important to be involved in the efficiency of their practice; moving toward electronic health records is a first step in making that happen."
Dr. Smith's patients also benefit from her use of technology. They may visit her virtual office accessible via the Internet. Her web page www.karensmithmd.com allows patients to check lab work results and get health information on topics such as flu prevention and the new Medicare prescription drug plans. This enables patients to participate in their own health care by gaining valuable information in a timely convenient manner. It also provides them assistance in making healthy life choices such as methods to stop smoking.
Dr. Smith's virtual office, while unique, is easily and economically replicable. In her role as President of the North Carolina Academy of Family Practice, Dr. Smith educates other physicians about the economic and quality of care benefits to be gained by implementing electronic health records. |
