Electronic medical records to increase the clinical treatment of tobacco dependence: a systematic review.

Summary: Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are replacing paper charts in doctor's offices, and researchers wanted to know if this technology helps people quit smoking. The idea is simple: the computer prompts the doctor to ask about tobacco use—just like checking blood pressure—making it a "vital sign." A review of ten studies found that these digital reminders successfully pushed doctors to check and write down smoking habits more often. However, simply recording the information didn't prove enough to actually change patients' smoking habits. While EMRs are a great tool for gathering data, we still need more research to find out how to turn that data into successful quitting stories.