Optimizing EHR Utilization: Implementing an Educational Program to Improve Template Use, Knowledge, and Satisfaction Among Primary Care Providers and Staff

Electronic health record utilization is essential for improving clinical documentation, enhancing patient care, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Despite the benefits, provider reluctance and inconsistent utilization of electronic health records remain significant challenges in many primary care settings. This scholarly project aimed to implement an educational program to increase provider and staff knowledge, satisfaction, and utilization of electronic health record tools and templates within a small primary care office. The project addressed an identified gap in electronic health record adoption where providers continued to rely on paper documentation despite the availability of a fully functional electronic health record system. This inefficiency contributed to workflow disruptions, increased documentation time, and potential errors. The practice change involved in-person education on selected electronic health record tools and templates. The effectiveness of the education was assessed over 12 weeks through pre- and post-intervention surveys and chart reviews. The project findings not only demonstrated improvements in electronic health record use, workflow efficiency, and provider satisfaction, but the measurable outcomes were also found to be statistically significant. Implications for practice include the importance of consistent, structured electronic health record training to help optimize practice efficiency, enhance patient care, and meet reimbursement requirements. Future research and efforts should focus on maintaining electronic health record utilization that is both efficient and effective for the practice through continuous education and support.