--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A typical medical practice is like an…" description: "\"A typical medical practice is like an old-fashioned business which keeps all of its records on paper. It can probably track down any individual transac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42c/mitch-kapor-7363_any_a-typical-medical-practice-is-like-an-ol_2200597.jpg" --- # A typical medical practice is like an old-fashioned… ![“A typical medical practice is like an old-fashioned business which keeps all of its records on paper. It can probably track down any individual transaction if it needs to, but it's basically helpless when it comes to overall measurements of performance. And that's the big problem.” quote by Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42c/mitch-kapor-7363_any_a-typical-medical-practice-is-like-an-ol_2200597.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42c/mitch-kapor-7363_any_a-typical-medical-practice-is-like-an-ol_2200597.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42c/mitch-kapor-7363_any_a-typical-medical-practice-is-like-an-ol_2200597.jpg) > “A typical medical practice is like an old-fashioned business which keeps all of its records on paper. It can probably track down any individual transaction if it needs to, but it's basically helpless when it comes to overall measurements of performance. And that's the big problem.” [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Paper‑based medical records hinder comprehensive performance analytics, limiting strategic insight and improvement. **In simple terms:** Paper records block big‑picture performance tracking. Key Takeaway Adopt digital systems for better metrics. Themes healthcare management technology adoption data analytics Mood analytical critical Type diagnostic strategic When to use this quote - clinic operations - policy planning - quality improvement Key Concepts electronic health records performance measurement systemic inefficiency Questions to Reflect On - What data would improve care? - How to overcome resistance to digital change? A Different Perspective Transition costs and training are obstacles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Any](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/any/) [Basically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basically/) [Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big/) [Big problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-problem/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down/) [Healthcare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healthcare/) [Helpless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helpless/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Keeps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keeps/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Measurements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/measurements/) [Measurements Performance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/measurements-performance-4832013/) [Medical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medical/) [Medical Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medical-practice-2256528/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Old fashioned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-fashioned/) [Overall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overall/) [Paper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paper/) [Performance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performance/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Records](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/records/) [Records Paper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/records-paper-4832014/) [Track](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/track/) [Transaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transaction/) [Typical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/typical/) [Typical Medical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/typical-medical-1702313/) [Which](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/which/) ## Related quotes > [“Typical of the medical profession,’ said Larry bitterly. ‘They can’t even spot a disease until the patient is twice life size.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/typical-of-the-medical-profession-said-larry-bitterly-they-can-t-even/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [I flatter myself to even imagine I could have had a medical practice. There's no way. I'm not scientific or disciplined enough, lots of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bock/i-flatter-myself-to-even-imagine-i-could-have-had-a-medical-practice/) [Charles Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bock/) > [I do think that VA, as the largest employer of nurses and the largest health system in the country, often does become a place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-shulkin/i-do-think-that-va-as-the-largest-employer-of-nurses-and-the-largest/) [David Shulkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-shulkin/) > [Creative destruction is an increasingly prominent feature of modern medical practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/creative-destruction-is-an-increasingly-prominent-feature-of-modern/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [The politics have always been difficult in medicine. There is some truth in the way medical practice is portrayed in TV dramas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-marshall/the-politics-have-always-been-difficult-in-medicine-there-is-some/) [Barry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-marshall/) > [Homeopathy is the safest and more reliable approach to ailments and has withstood the assaults of established medical practice for over 100 years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yehudi-menuhin/homeopathy-is-the-safest-and-more-reliable-approach-to-ailments-and/) [Yehudi Menuhin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yehudi-menuhin/) > [“Time and time again, throughout the history of medical practice, what was once considered as "scientific" eventually becomes regarded as "bad practice".”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-stewart/time-and-time-again-throughout-the-history-of-medical-practice-what/) [David Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-stewart/) > [Medical practice is not knitting and weaving and the labor of the hands, but it must be inspired with soul and be filled with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maimonides/medical-practice-is-not-knitting-and-weaving-and-the-labor-of-the/) [Maimonides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maimonides/) > [Fort Smith, being the place of my longest stay, was the scene of my largest medical practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-thompson-seton/fort-smith-being-the-place-of-my-longest-stay-was-the-scene-of-my/) [Ernest Thompson Seton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-thompson-seton/) > [ What's happened \[in UK\] is a private medical practice has started up, people who can afford it are going to into medical institutions, hospitals… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/what-s-happened-in-uk-is-a-private-medical-practice-has-started-up/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Freedom of choice must be brought to bear upon the US Medical practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-crane/freedom-of-choice-must-be-brought-to-bear-upon-the-us-medical-practice/) [Phil Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-crane/) > [The first time someone said, 'What are your measurements?' I answered, '37, 24, 38 - but not necessarily in that order.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-burnett/the-first-time-someone-said-what-are-your-measurements-i-answered-37/) [Carol Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-burnett/) > [People always say that life is too short, so I just wonder who took the measurements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paballo-nhambiri/people-always-say-that-life-is-too-short-so-i-just-wonder-who-took/) [Paballo Nhambiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paballo-nhambiri/) > [“Measurements is your saving grace if you want to raise steam.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/measurements-is-your-saving-grace-if-you-want-to-raise-steam/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [When you're young, you think life is forever, but it's finite. I'm 68, so even by the maddest measurements, I'm in the last bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-lumley/when-you-re-young-you-think-life-is-forever-but-it-s-finite-i-m-68-so/) [Joanna Lumley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-lumley/) ## More by Mitch Kapor > [Velano Vascular has developed a simple, game-changing innovation that will improve the way medicine has been practiced for decades.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/velano-vascular-has-developed-a-simple-game-changing-innovation-that/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [The Internet, the network of networks, is growing at an exponential pace. It's growing so fast, in fact, nobody really knows how many people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/the-internet-the-network-of-networks-is-growing-at-an-exponential/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [If only I'd stayed on the West Coast, I might have made something of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/if-only-i-d-stayed-on-the-west-coast-i-might-have-made-something-of/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [I'd always wanted to live in San Francisco, and my circumstances never permitted it. I'm so happy I made the move.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/i-d-always-wanted-to-live-in-san-francisco-and-my-circumstances-never/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [When regulations restricting competition are relaxed, nobody's market share is protected. If telephone companies can offer video programming, cable revenue will surely drop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/when-regulations-restricting-competition-are-relaxed-nobody-s-market/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [Fundly is at the dynamic intersection of high-growth technology startups, social entrepreneurship, and the exploding world of social media. Kapor Capital is proud to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/fundly-is-at-the-dynamic-intersection-of-high-growth-technology/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [In my case, having knocked around at different jobs helped me get a sense of what the world is actually like and also helped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/in-my-case-having-knocked-around-at-different-jobs-helped-me-get-a/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [I'm like George Lucas, bringing together a creative team that will come up with a unique, well-crafted product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/i-m-like-george-lucas-bringing-together-a-creative-team-that-will/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [You can't be in the tech community... without realizing there's a big shortage of talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/you-can-t-be-in-the-tech-community-without-realizing-there-s-a-big/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [Everyone has a subconscious and automatic preference of this over that. Once you're aware of that, you can take steps to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/everyone-has-a-subconscious-and-automatic-preference-of-this-over/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [If information wants to be free, then that's true everywhere, not just in information technology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/if-information-wants-to-be-free-then-that-s-true-everywhere-not-just/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [I soon realized that the best thing I could do for the profession of human services was to get out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/i-soon-realized-that-the-best-thing-i-could-do-for-the-profession-of/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [Diversifying our tech talent pool is an imperative for the tech sector. More diverse engineers and entrepreneurs will bring about a new type of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/diversifying-our-tech-talent-pool-is-an-imperative-for-the-tech/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [StumbleUpon has humanized the Web and mastered a way for people to discover online content by incorporating an individual's personal preferences and recommendations of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/stumbleupon-has-humanized-the-web-and-mastered-a-way-for-people-to/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) > [I'm fascinated by management and organizations: how organizations get things done and how successful organizations are built and maintained, how they evolve as they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kapor/i-m-fascinated-by-management-and-organizations-how-organizations-get/) [Mitch Kapor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) [Explore all 92 Mitch Kapor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kapor/) ## More Any quotes > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. 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And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/) [Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/) > [We earned any fans with the way we play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/we-earned-any-fans-with-the-way-we-play/) [Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/) > [Hard work and a good education will take you further than any government program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-schock/hard-work-and-a-good-education-will-take-you-further-than-any/) [Aaron Schock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-schock/) > [Anyone who's read my 'Terror in the Skies' series knows that I have not been writing with an eye toward approval from any government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-jacobsen/anyone-who-s-read-my-terror-in-the-skies-series-knows-that-i-have-not/) [Annie Jacobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-jacobsen/) > [The system in Germany is different, as you sign up with a company for two or three years, and you work exclusively with them;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-wlaschiha/the-system-in-germany-is-different-as-you-sign-up-with-a-company-for/) [Tom Wlaschiha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-wlaschiha/) > [I'm writing about real things. 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