We're Not All Alike: The Unique IT Needs of Oncologists

Robert Rowley, MD

Published on Sep 18, 2008

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In order to understand the unique IT needs of oncologists, the best way to approach the topic is by understanding the unique (and common) workfl ows experienced by oncologists in their everyday professional lives. After all, EMR systems are simply tools that help practitioners document and organize the work they do. It is likely that a “one-size-fi ts-all” approach to EMRs will not be the best tool for the job in most disciplines, as each discipline has some unique sets of workfl ows and issues not necessarily shared with other types of practice. Although some of the tasks faced by oncologists are similar to those of other disciplines—allowing a more generalized EMR package to suffi ce—other elements of practice, however, are unique to oncology, requiring a more tailored approach.