Electronic health record features, functions, and privileges that clinicians need to provide safe and effective care for adults and children

This chapter will describe and discuss key requirements to enable clinician- users of electronic health records (EHRs) to deliver high-quality, safe, and effective care. We frame these requirements as "rights" and "responsibilities." The "rights" represent not merely desirable, but also important EHR features, functions, and user privileges that clinicians need to perform their job. Each "right" is accompanied by a corresponding clinician duty or "responsibility," without which the ultimate goal of improving healthcare quality might not be achieved. The issues discussed are generalizable to clinicians who care for adults and children using electronic health records across the globe. We recognize that healthcare presents complex and often unique challenges for the design and operation of health information technology-related facilities and EHRs worldwide. Addressing these rights and responsibilities comprehensively will be challenging, but we need to make the care delivered using electronic health record systems safer and more efficient.