Paper files aren't the problem

Paper files aren't the problem, as you so insidiously implied in your essay. Paper files are probably more secure than digital media, for they are heavy and have an intrinsic energy value in the incinerator. On the other hand, how many millions of credit card users' numbers have been compromised because of an errant employee? I guarantee you the number of files here is much less than what would be possible through a hack into medical software or a socially-engineered break-in through the office staff.

There is a lemma of security, the only safe system is one which has no entrance. Indeed, although you have identified the entrance to your doctor's office, only so many paper files could come out per unit time.

Furthermore, medical software simply sucks. It does have its advantages, but do you really think your physician can afford the $100,000 necessary to switch over the documents? And don't just figure in the cost of the purchase of the software, which might be only $20k, but what about the downtime, and the conversion of the files, and the cost to educate your office staff? What about the frustration on his part, regarding learning the software, and consequently, the momentary inefficiencies that it will introduce into his practice? This mandate is priced out of this world.

If you want corporate medicine, continue to push a corporate attitude.

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