Last updated on March 17, 2019
Here is an example of “meaningful use” from the clinic, and how meaningless it is for actual practice:
Mr. X. is a man in his 80s who was cured of his cancer, but at what cost.
The therapies which eradicated the cancer left him with permanent frailties and the loss of his independence.
A family member came to the initial visit, but has not accompanied him since. He talks about the busy work and lives of his children. He does not begrudge them that they do not attend his appointments any longer.
It is several years out from his end of treatment and thus he is to be considered a success of cancer therapy. However every time I see him, I wonder about his quality of life. Would he have chosen this path if he would have known it was going to cost him his independence?
On his most recent visit, I ran behind in the clinic day (not an unusual occurrence). My MA handed me the chart, and I told her to go ahead and room the next patient in 10 minutes to try to make up some ground on the schedule. I told her my visit with Mr. X. would be quick. I should have known better.
In the course of our usual discussion, he blurted out to me his life’s biggest regret.
The visit went in an unexpected direction, and I simply listened. He told me more about his life as a younger man.
It had been way longer than 10 minutes when I finally exited the room. I gave my MA an apologetic look and she handed me the next chart.
I rushed to complete the EMR (electronic medical record) depart process so I could move on the the next waiting patient.
There were not many boxes to check, or diagnoses to bill for. After all, I wasn’t ordering any tests.
From an administrative standpoint this visit would not meet criteria for “meaningful use.”
It crossed my mind that although there was no checkbox in the EMR for it, the visit was obviously meaningful to Mr. X.
I think when we can provide this kind of care, it checks off something inside us that sustains us to go on to the next patient.
Wouldn’t it be great to see some checkboxes like this for “meaningful use” in the EMR?
Listened to my patient and learned something about him/her that tells me more about who he/she is as an inner person.
Restored my sense of purpose as a physician by being present for my patient and allowing them to trust in me.
Renewed my inner spirit by connecting with my patient’s inner spirit.