Electronic Health Records Boost Patient Trust, Survey Finds

WASHINGTON — Access to electronic health records (EHRs) is helping boost patient engagement and confidence in providers, according to a new study from Washington-based National Partnership for Women & Families.

In the last year, 86 percent of patients with access to their health records used their online records at least once, and 55 percent used them three or more times per year. The findings were released this month in a report entitled “Engaging Patients and Families: How Consumers Value and Use Health IT.” The report is a follow-up to the partnership’s 2011 national survey that examined consumer views toward EHRs and health information technology (health IT).

Since 2011, there has been a considerable shift toward EHRs, according to the report. Eighty percent of adults said their doctor uses an EHR system, up from 64 percent in 2011. Online access to EHRs has also increased, with half of patients having access versus only 26 percent in 2011.

The report was released five years after the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009 was enacted and the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Meaningful Use incentive program began. The program encourages the adoption of EHRs through financial incentives to providers. The report comes on the heels of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) releasing its 2015 Strategic Plan this month. The plan calls for financial and regulatory incentives to encourage the use of health information technology.

“As the National Partnership’s new data show, more consumers are accessing, sharing and using their health information, underlining the importance of interoperability of health data and systems. We are focusing our efforts in these areas to empower individuals to address not only gaps in information exchange and interoperability, but also enable them to take steps to improve their health and better manage their health needs,” said National Coordinator for Health IT Karen DeSalvo, in a statement.

In addition to a rise in EHR use among patients and providers, the study also found that consumers want more functionality and features when they access their records online. More than half want to see the ability to email their provider and to review treatment plans and doctor notes. More than 60 percent want to be able to schedule appointments; 59 percent want to be able to submit medication refill requests; and 75 percent want to see test results online.

Patients are able to trust in the privacy and security of EHRs more now than in 2011, and 77 percent of patients with online access to their health information have a higher level of trust in their doctor and medical staff versus 67 percent of those that don’t have online access.

The partnership surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. adults this year for its study.