There seems to be a turning of the tide when it comes to EMR adoption. Over the past year I have noted a sharp increase in the interest paid to EMR by the press as well as an increase in adoption locally.

When I first adopted 10 years ago, everyone felt like EMR adoption was right around the corner. I frequently gave talks on why EMR would take over and was absolutely sure that if not then, it would be soon that all doctors would realize the benefits of EMR and adopt it. Boy was I wrong.

10 years later, we are finally seeing the inflection point on the curve (I think we are, at least). This makes me ask the questions: What took so long? And: Why is adoption finally happening now? I think there are several factors that can answer both questions.

1. Technology is finally mainstream. Most doctors have computers in their homes with broadband connections. That could not be said 10 years ago. Most Americans have shopped online (some of us prefer it), send e-mail regularly, and even blog (although the latter is reserved for the real geeks!) 10 years ago it was still novel to use computers, now they are a regular part of our lives.
2. Computers are faster. This allows applications such as voice recognition, and allows for much more complex functions of the EMR (such as disease management) without causing a serious slow-down workflow.
3. Memory. Now we can scan and store huge amounts of documents without worrying about using up memory.
4. More mature EMR products. A lot of this is due to the integration of the internet into the products, allowing much of the content to be outsourced. The programming languages (such as Java, XML, and AJAX) are also a lot faster, requiring less processor to accomplish tasks.
5. A new generation of decision makers. Doctors who are in their 40's and 50's are now more computer friendly than they were in the past. These are generally the decision makers in a practice.
6. Pioneers have arrived in California.

Let me explain that last one. I see those of us who were early adopters of EMR as being like the pioneers going out west. We did not have a map and did not know what the place we were going to was like, but we had the belief that it would make our lives better. There were many casualties along the way (which prevented others from wanting to try the journey), but some of us got there and are finally prospering. Now we can give the best route to California and cause people to get here without as much peril as we underwent. We can send a map.

I really do believe that the success stories have a certain amount of effect in that they show that EMR is not just a dream, it can really work in real life.

I just hope we can avoid the OK Corral.