Evaluating Academic Performance in Health Informatics Post-EHR Implementation

The increasing prevalence of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in healthcare necessitates incorporating EHR familiarity into health informatics curricula. This study investigated the impact of integrating OpenEMR, an open-source EHR system, into the health informatics curriculum at Indiana University Indianapolis. Employing a pre-post design, the study examined changes in student engagement, assignment performance, and final grades across four courses: Clinical Information Systems, Clinical Decision Support Systems, Medical Terminology, and Database Design for HIM, comparing outcomes before (Fall 2022) and after OpenEMR implementation (Spring, Summer, and Fall 2023). Due to the non-normal data distribution, a Mann-Whitney U test was employed for statistical analysis. The findings revealed a multifaceted impact of OpenEMR, with notable improvements in EHR-specific assessments, despite statistically insignificant change in overall course grades. These results highlight the complexities of incorporating practical EHR experiences into curricula, demonstrating the nuanced effects of OpenEMR on enhancing student competencies. However, the study's limited participant diversity, characterized by a high proportion of international students from clinical educational backgrounds, underscores the necessity for further research encompassing a more heterogeneous sample. This sample should include individuals with backgrounds in technology and business management, in addition to those with clinical education, to ensure the generalizability of the findings. This study provides valuable insights for curriculum development and preparing students for the global healthcare landscape.