SEEDIE, the Society for Exorbitantly Expensive and Difficult to Implement EHRs, has submitted unsolicited recommendations to HHS regarding ARRA guidance and policy around physician incentives for EHR adoption.
"What is meaningful use?" asked executive director Sal Obfuscato at a recent SEEDIE executive retreat in Belize. "We believe the question is the answer, as man has always struggled to find meaning in this world."
This insight led SEEDIE to suggest that certified EHR vendors should embed quotes from well known philosophers in their applications. This approach will prompt physicians and other caregivers to actively seek meaning as they document patient encounters.
"When I am treating a patient, a thought-provoking quote from Jean Paul Sartre or Voltaire is far more valuable than the ability to e-prescribe or adhere to evidence-based guidelines," said Dr. Timothy Farragut, a Vermont pediatrician and SEEDIE board member. "You get so caught up in diagnosing a condition that you forget to ask yourself the important questions - why am I here, what does it all mean, can I still make my tee time?"
These recommendations are part of a SEEDIE effort to be designated as an ARRA certification body. "Unlike certification organizations that focus on subjective functional requirements, our innovative approach to meaningful use is focused on a much deeper meaning of the word meaning," said Obfuscato.