EHR vs. EMR: What’s the Difference?

EHR vs. EMR: Understanding the difference

The main difference between an EHR and EMR is in the software’s scope—whether it’s useful for one practitioner or a team working together on a care plan. To fully understand what an EHR vs. EMR is good for, we’ll dive into the specific functions and benefits of each below. 

What is an EMR?

To put it simply, an EMR, or electronic medical record, is just a digital version of a paper medical chart. For clinicians, there are a lot of potential benefits to keeping digital records rather than paper ones. Digital client charts save office space, reducing the need for secure office space or labor to upkeep those records. They also reduce inaccuracies in care. 

EMRs also make it easier for clinicians to enter, duplicate, or remove client information, saving them time and reducing errors at the same time. (Ever tried to read a doctor’s handwriting? Digital records help with that, too!) 

EMRs also make it easier for clinicians to keep track of client care, so at a glance they can see what treatment is currently being used, what’s been tried before, and what can be tried next. EMRs can help set reminders for vaccines, checkups, or other regularly scheduled treatment options, which can help ensure continuity of care and make sure no important interventions slip through the cracks. 

Overall, EMRs help streamline charting for clinicians and reduce inaccuracies in clinical care, both of which benefits clients as well. All that said, one potential downside of an EMR system is that they’re typically designed to be used exclusively in one practice—so for a solo, primary care doctor, they can be extremely useful. For clinicians who work with other offices, however, or regularly refer out to and then collaborate with other specialists for a single client, an EMR software might not be the best fit. That’s where EHR software comes in. 

What is an EHR?

EHR systems do everything an EMR does—plus a little extra. EHRs still contain digitized records of client charts, so all the benefits of not keeping records still apply here. The main difference between EHRs and EMRs is that EHR software is typically designed with interoperability in mind—that is, they’re designed to share client data between authorized providers. 

Most EHRs also include some kind of client or patient portal that allows clients to see their documents and send their clinicians messages, among other things.

These features help clients participate more directly in their care, helping them feel more engaged. 

Another key difference between EHRs and EMRs is actually hinted at in their names—electronic medical record vs. electronic health record. While EMRs typically focus one provider’s energy on a single medical issue, EHRs take a more holistic approach. EHR softwares look at and track a client’s entire health journey—which may include multiple offices, providers, and diagnoses. 

So for clinicians who work in a larger group practice or a hospital system, or who regularly collaborate with providers in other specialties, an EHR might make more sense. EHRs also usually operate as a more general practice management software, with features that help streamline the back end of running a practice.

Most EHR functionality will include features to support clinicians with insurance and billing, scheduling, and other administrative tasks that take up a lot of a clinician’s time. 

So are EHR and EMR the same thing? Almost, but not quite. Neither is inherently better than the other—making the decision between the two will come down to the kind of practice you run, and what you need from your software.