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FasterCures, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization to remove barriers that slow medical research, published the report to make sure that research benefits are not shortchanged as providers implement interoperable medical records systems.

"The development of EMR systems presents a unique opportunity to support and further the nation's health research enterprise," according to the report. "To date, the utility of health information networks has been seen as primarily relating to reducing health care costs, limiting medical errors, and generally improving the standard of care. While these benefits are important, there is another critical element in the health care continuum that could greatly benefit from the development of EMR systems: medical research."

Much of the patient information collected for clinical trials already exists in the patient medical record, the organization acknowledges. An electronic medical record--especially if it contains standardized data elements--can quicken import of existing information into the research record. "EMR systems could speed data acquisition and searching, allow mass computing and sampling, and provide the research community access to a broader and more diverse patient population," the report states.

Consequently, as the architecture of a national health information network is developed, research capacity should be part of the plan, report authors conclude.

Copies of the report, "Electronic Medical Records: A Bridge to Faster Cures," is available at fastercures.org. Click on Publications, then White Papers.