Impact of a tailored training on advanced electronic medical records use for providers in a Veterans Health Administration Medical System

This quality improvement project evaluated the impact of a tailored, evidence-based training strategy on advanced electronic medical record (EMR) use for Veterans Administration (VA) clinicians experienced in using the EMR. After developing the curriculum, an online needs assessment tool evaluated 20 clinicians’ competency gaps. Responses were used to prioritize clinicians’ training needs. Clinician informaticists then provided 2–4 h of tailored training to groups of 1–5 clinicians. Compared with baseline scores (M = 3.59), scores on EMR Task Comfort showed a large improvement in the week following training (M = 4.60; t = 5.41; P <.000, r = 0.58) regardless of baseline level of computer anxiety. Assessment and tailored training methods can help maximize the benefits of resources for EMR training. This formative evaluation suggests that tailored, hands-on training led by clinician informaticists effectively improved clinicians’ EMR comfort and confidence in only 2–4 h.