EHR System Helps Improve the Quality of Care for Patients: An Interview with Dr. Karen Smith A physician since 1989, Dr. Karen Smith runs a one-physician family medicine practice in Raeford, NC. She credits her electronic health record (EHR) with allowing her to deliver quality care in a rural setting -- and to do it so efficiently that she still has time to be a wife and mother. ONC talked to Dr. Smith about how she uses her EHR system to care for her patients -- whether she's working in the office, supervising laundry detail at home, or traveling out of state. She is also one of the providers featured in ONC's series of print ads highlighting key MUVers -- Meaningful Use Vanguards -- who have adopted certified EHR technology. ONC: Can you tell us about yourself and your practice? Smith: I'm a family physician in a very rural, very small community -- Raeford, NC. We're part of Hoke County, which has only five practicing physicians. I have about 4,000 active patients. I'm also very involved in working with the American Academy of Family Physicians to improve health care in my specialty. ONC: Do you feel your EHR system has made your life easier? Smith: Having a record system that's organized and easily accessible at any time of the day or night is a major benefit for rural physicians. I couldn't do my job without it. Before I had an EHR system, I was staying at the office until 11:30