Evaluation of electronic health record systems.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this article is to present an overview of the various considerations to be made prior to evaluating electronic health record (EHR) systems. METHODS: From the methodological literature, a number of themes for decisions are presented and related to the contemporary EHR situation. Special attention is paid to a number of important methodological themes. RESULTS: Definitive checklists for evaluation of EHR systems can not be recommended, but seven key steps are listed to guide the design of evaluation projects. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the issues presented are not completely exhausted and the seven key steps might have to include iterative loops because of interdependencies between some of the steps.