Why I Think WalMart Selling EMRs is a Good Thing

I think WalMart selling EMRs is a good thing and here’s why.

1. This challenges standard thinking about EMR vendors.  You can’t deny that this has given all of us a lot to think about as far as what company can sell what products to what customers.
2. This demystifies EMRs and will do a lot to educate the public about EMRs and will most likely start patients asking practices if they use an EMR.
3. This will break open the discussion about price and allow more open comparisons between EMRs.  Regardless of whether you think the advertised price is a bargain or not, Wal Mart gives everyone a benchmark by saying “This is our price for an EMR.”

Here’s a great article on the announcement/leak and an interview with eClinicalWork’s Girish Kumar, and lots and lots of interesting comments!