More and more people are having the disturbing experience of seeing their doctors spend more time pecking at a computer keyboard than examining them. The doctors are entering data into their patients’ electronic health records (EHRs) in compliance with federal rules introduced a few years ago. EHRs drive doctors crazy. Their own experience tells them that electronic recordkeeping interferes with care, by taking time away from patients. In a survey conducted by the Deloitte consulting group, three of four doctors said EHRs are not worth the cost. The influential RAND Corporation, which had long endorsed EHRs, reported in 2013 that they neither saved money nor improved care. Doctors and hospitals were induced to install EHRs with $30 billion in federal money, which started flowing in 2011. Fortunately, this money has almost run out; when it’s gone, the federal government will be less able to bend physicians to its will. Nevertheless, the Obama administration continues...(Read Full Article)