Does your doctor’s office use electronic health records? There has been quite a bit of controversy regarding this relatively simple subject. On one side of the argument, electronic health records are touted as the “future” of health care. Their convenience and portability allows you and your physician to always have constant access to your up-to-date health records. Plus, it cuts down on paper – and we’re all trying to be a little Earth-friendly these days, right? Electronic medical records really do sound great in theory – but they get a lot of criticism, too.
Most importantly, people are worried about the privacy of electronic health records. Technology is not 100% safe, and it is possible that a computer system can be broken into. Also, if health care professionals mistakenly leave your records pulled up on a computer screen, anyone who walks by that computer can access your personal information. So, in that case, the shift towards electronic medical records can make anyone a bit worried. Of course, any medical offices that implements electronic records would institute strict security & privacy guidelines, which should be a significant form of patient protection.
The public opinion on electronic health records has been so varied that a study was recently conducted to find out what the public actually felt about electronic medical records: would they actually improve the quality and coordination of health care, and would they lead to lower health care costs? A random sample of 1,238 adults across the nation was questioned by a telephone survey between March 12 and March 22. The survey was conducted by NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health.
- 72% believed that their physicians would be better able to coordinate care if they used electronic health records
- 67% felt that the overall quality of health care across the nation would improve if EHRs were used nationally
- 53% said that electronic medical records would probably reduce the risk of medical errors
- 58% felt confident that fewer people would receive unnecessary medical care if doctors could view updated medical records electronically
Although the statistics tend to be in favor of EHRs, most people agree that switching over to an electronic system won’t save any money – for them or the country. In fact, most people felt that it would probably increase costs, as we switch over to the electronic system.
But it seems like more and more people are favoring the idea of electronic medical records. Why the sudden change in opinion? We’re assuming it’s because people are becoming more comfortable with technology & computerized information. With all the online banking and online shopping opportunities, people are starting to better understand the risks of technology, yet still appreciate the convenience. We’re guessing it’s only a matter of time before all physicians offices and hospitals adopt electronic health records. What do you think?
For the full results of the survey, please see the Kaiser Family Foundation website : The Public and the Health Care Delivery System.
I would have t to say that emr are definetly the way to record store and access medical information. If there was ever a question, just look at my handwriting. Anyway this article touched upon a major problem with emr, and that is privacy. At present and probably always there will be a away for those so disposed to obtain your info, but that is no different from hard copy records. I guess that to will boil down to the basic integrity of people on a whole and as what would motivate their actions.