HIMSS March 2, 2020
Within electronic health records, there is an inherent tension between the need for discrete data and natural language.
Clinicians find value in both forms of information. The efficient administration of healthcare demands discrete, encoded data. Discrete data is ideal for quickly noting trends, graphing, encoding and machine processing for myriad uses.
On the flip side, narrative text tells the patient’s unique health story, including the more nuanced details of their symptoms and disorders. The narrative describes the patient’s preferences and care priorities, and provides an expanded picture of the patient’s social history. It provides a window into the mind of the diagnostician by expounding on the rationale for diagnosis and treatment decisions. These details are vital to good patient care...