When undertaken alone, EHR implementation can present some significant hurdles for smaller practices. However, when the staff looks to all available resources, the process may be far simpler than most would think and be accomplished with minimal disruption to a practice's operations.

For example, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has set up a collection of Regional Extension Centers across the country that are equipped to offer consulting services and technical support to practices looking at EHR implementation. The goal of the initiative is to provide these services to more than 100,000 primary care doctors within two years.

Another commonly overlooked resource available to practices is other medical offices that have already adopted the technology. Edna Boone, the director of mobile services at HIMSS, told Healthcare IT News that looking to the experience of other providers may be one of the most valuable sources of guidance available.

Joining listserves and actively participating in group discussions can provide a wealth of knowledge as does calling references to learn about their EHR experience.

"Other professionals and organizations have information to share on their health IT journey or process," she told the news source. "Visit [healthcare facilities] in the area for an in-person review and discussion."