Question

1. Describe the difference between a source-oriented medical record and a problem oriented medical record. How might the above be organized in each (please be specific)?

this is for my medical office management class in my medical assisting program.

Answer 1

Medical records can be documented in the following two formats

1. Source-Oriented Medical Record (SOMR): Which is the conventional or traditional form of data organization from its suppliers or sources. The sources range from individual care providers in healthcare to departments and specialties in various departments. The various advantages of SOMR are :

• familiar to staff
• easily combined with other documentation methods.
• help reduce training time

However lack of consistency and increased time consumption remain as disadvantages fro SOMR.

2. Problem-oriented medical record (POMR): It involves a comprehensive method of collecting data in a problem based solving system. It can be accessed by the healthcare providers for continuous assessment and revision of care plans. The various advantages of POMR are :

• More organized and consistent.
• Avoids storage of unnecessary data.