Which of the following is a primary benefit of an electronic health record (EHR) for care coordination in ambulatory care?

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Data sharing between providers through an interoperable EHR is the primary benefit for care coordination in ambulatory care. When all members of the care team—primary care, specialists, pharmacists, and laboratories—can view and update the same patient information in real time, decisions are based on the most current data, test results aren’t duplicated, medication lists stay accurate, and referrals flow smoothly. This shared access supports safer transitions of care and more efficient management of complex conditions. While patient engagement and chart digitization are helpful, they don’t achieve the same ongoing cross-provider coordination that seamless data sharing enables. Scanning paper charts is a one-time step, and the idea of higher costs with no improvement in accessibility contradicts how EHRs typically enhance access to information.