Advantages of web-based EMR system:
- The web based EMR system can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
- Less efforts to take care of the maintenance and management efforts as most of such tasks are managed by the vendors including system troubleshooting, support and backup.
- Patient interaction can be embedded in the web based system and in this way a lot of burden can be decreased as many things can be operated by the patient himself.
- Less system failure chances as everything is in control of the internet. No system failure may affect the functionality of the system and the system can be accessed using some other alternative device, even mobile.
Disadvantages of web based EMR system:
- If internet fails, the whole system fails. The system’s only dependence is the internet. As the server and all the information regarding system is placed at a remote location and is managed through the network i.e. internet, the internet failure will be very problematic.
- Having a vendor to take care of the remote server, data and the complete web based EMR system charges heavily sometimes and paying them often is painful.
Advantages of the client/server EMR system:
- The client/server based EMR system is less costly as compared to the web based EMR system as it only takes the cost of a few computers and a EMR software to be installed on them and connected through LAN.
- Its maintenance is also less costly and less painful such as troubleshooting.
- No internet connection needed to manage the client/server based EMR system.
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Disadvantages of the client/server based EMR system:
- With the failure of server, the complete system stops working. It happens because all the other client systems are connected to server and all the information and records are saved on the server.
- Backup of the client/server EMR system is difficult as special arrangements are required to backup all the files ad records. That’s why, if the backup is not taken and the system fails, it will be very difficult to recover the information.