[naijaboiler]

I have tried a lot of tools. Epic is terrible. capital T terrible. And its still better than just about every other thing out there.

Epic suffers from "it has to be all things for all people". so it is nothing for anyone. It is bloated, big, overly customizable, yet doesn't fit. Steep learning curve, bad UI/UX, expensive, just all around terrible.

And yet it is still better than everything else i have ever seen, except native single-hospital EMRs like Beth Isreal hospital, Boston, EMR.

[nradov]

Part of the problem is that every provider organization wants to have their own unique forms and workflow; there is a lot of "not invented here" syndrome and everyone falsely believes that their institution is special. This forces a lot of customization in the EHRs and actually makes the UX worse. If providers nationwide could get together and agree on standardized forms and workflow (at least within practice specialties) then it would become a lot easier to build good EHR software.

[goda90]

I've started joining design meetings for a new streamlined way for nurses to do their tasks in the EHR. Multiple times now we've got stuck in a little back and forth about how to do something, and someone suggests a setting to allow either option. And each time I try to interject "no settings!". It's a pain for support and code maintenance, increases potential bugs, and means that some organizations could get left behind on new features that aren't compatible with niche settings that they refuse to change.

[tuna74]

You sound like the Gnome developers!

[asoneth]

Indeed. I wish more developers were willing to take such a principled stance. (Though given the vitriol they endure I understand why most don't.)

[rawgabbit]

I am a patient at UTSW in Dallas for over a decade. They seem to have implemented Epic successfully? I even like their mobile app. I can contact all my doctors in UTSW (over a dozen), see my lab results, and ask for refills through the app. Billing is still a bit of a mystery but I believe that is due to balance billing.

[xcrunner529]

Yep I’m happy as a patient. My doctor is very in tune and uses it for everything effectively so prescriptions are easily handled, she comments on lab results, answers messages etc. it’s amazing for someone like me.