Electronic health records and computer-based clinical decision support: are we there yet?

Electronic health record systems are in different phases of implementation in the US and abroad. From the perspective of enhancing the quality of healthcare, one of the most attractive features of electronic health record systems is the ability to implement computer-based clinical decision support. However, utilization of two main subsets of electronic health record systems, electronic medical records systems (EMRs) and personal health records systems (PHRs), is still very heterogeneous across institutions and individuals. EMRs are not always perceived as advantageous from the standpoint of individual clinicians, with paper records still being the main form of documentation in several institutions. PHRs are still not well integrated into EMRs and their adoption by patients is not widespread. In this issue, we include articles that focus on how electronic health records are being used and how clinical decision support is making …