From the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 701 East El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA, yup{at}caminomedical.org
Authors disclosures of potential conflicts of interest are found at the end of this article.
Address reprint requests to Peter Paul Yu, MD, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 701 East El Camino Real Mountain View CA 94040; e-mail: yup3{at}pamf.org
Overview: Neoplastic diseases are complex clinical problems because they involve multidisciplinary coordination of care in a clinical setting that changes rapidly. The scope and pace of data acquisition, analysis, and decision making routinely exceeds that of other medical sub specialties. Although an electronic health record (EHR) can greatly facilitate this process and lead to improved patient outcomes, oncologists must understand the special EHR requirements that distinguish oncology in order to be effective advocates within their institutions for the implementation of the electronic systems that will best serve the needs of providers and patients.