The three elements of computer-managed medical records are computer entry, paper printing, and handwritten signature. Electronic medical records are also called computerized medical record systems or computer-based patient records.

It is a digital medical record that is saved, managed, transmitted and reproduced using electronic devices (computers, health cards, etc.) to replace handwritten paper medical records.

Its content includes all information from paper medical records. The National Institute of Medicine defines it as: An EMR is an electronic patient record based on a specific system that provides users with access to complete and accurate data, alerts, prompts, and clinical decision support systems.

Sub-medical records were created with the networkization of hospital computer management, the application of information storage media - optical disks and IC cards, and the globalization of the Internet.

Electronic medical records are an inevitable product of information technology and network technology in the medical field, and an inevitable trend in the modern management of hospital medical records. Its initial clinical application has greatly improved the hospital's work efficiency and medical quality. But this is just the beginning of electronic medical record applications.

Electronic medical records are digitized patient medical records that are saved, managed, transmitted and reproduced using electronic devices (computers, health cards, etc.) to replace handwritten paper medical records. Electronic medical records have the characteristics of initiative, completeness and accuracy, knowledge correlation, and timely access. They are digital medical service records of medical institutions’ clinical diagnosis, treatment and guidance intervention for outpatients and inpatients (or health care objects).