Successful Electronic Health Records (EHR) Implementation requires more than just technology—it takes effective training, collaboration, and continuous learning. One often-overlooked but highly valuable tool in this process is the EHR User Group.
What Are EHR User Groups?
EHR user groups are organized sessions—often hosted by the EHR vendor—where users from different agencies come together to:
- Share experiences and tips
- Discuss workflows and best practices
- Receive advanced or supplemental training
- Provide feedback to the vendor for future improvements
These groups may be role-specific (e.g., clinical staff, billing specialists, or health directors), state-specific, and/or industry-specific. They are particularly valuable for public and behavioral health organizations, where resources are often limited and staff need to wear many hats.
The Benefits of EHR User Group Learning
1. Peer-to-Peer Learning
User groups create an open forum where experienced users can share tips, shortcuts, and common mistakes with newer users. Learning directly from peers who face the same challenges adds real-world context and credibility that formal training sometimes lacks.
2. Advanced Training Opportunities
After initial go-live, users are often ready to go deeper into the system. User groups offer training for:
- Advanced workflows
- Underused or new features
- Role-specific efficiencies
3. Collaborative Problem Solving
Multiple agencies often encounter similar challenges when using the same EHR platform. EHR user groups create a space for health organizations to share solutions, exchange workflow tips, and address state or federal reporting requirements together. By pooling knowledge and resources, agencies can develop practical strategies for meeting compliance updates and overcoming day-to-day obstacles.
This collaborative approach is especially valuable for public and behavioral health agencies, which often face:
- Limited budgets
- Complex regulations
- Frequent staff turnover
- Heavy reporting demands
Through user groups, these challenges become shared problems with shared solutions—helping every participant get more value from their EHR investment.
4. Influencing Future Development
Some EHR vendors use feedback from user groups to guide new feature development. This can help ensure that software updates align with the real-world needs of public and behavioral health professionals and improve overall system functionality.
Additionally, this is an opportunity for product teams to share the roadmap of upcoming feature requests. An EHR that prioritizes transparency will be clear about what its development team is working on to continuously grow the solution.
Why EHR Training Matters
Consistent feedback from public and behavioral health agencies shows that staff training is one of the most critical factors in achieving long-term EHR success. The phrase “practice makes perfect” applies here. Even the best EHR system can fall short of expectations without proper training.
While initial training is critical, ongoing education is equally important, especially as users grow more confident and begin exploring advanced EHR features.
Don’t Stop Learning After Go-Live
Too often, EHR training ends after the initial implementation. But true EHR success comes from continuous learning, especially as your team grows or as your workflows evolve.
EHR user groups provide a cost-effective, engaging way to keep your staff learning and to maximize your agency’s return on its EHR investment.
If your EHR vendor offers user group sessions, take full advantage. Whether you're a new customer or a long-time user, group learning is a smart, strategic way to boost staff confidence, improve workflows, and enhance patient care through better EHR usage.
If you are looking for additional resources to help your team feel confident in their EHR system, check out Patagonia Health Academy.
