Perception about Importance of Personal Health Records and Willingness to Exchange Medical Information Electronically

Objective: Electronic health information exchange can improve patient safety, clinical care and enhance decision making by providing accurate and relevant patient information to the providers. The objective of this study was to examine the association between the individual perceptions about the importance of personal health records (PHR), along with the individual characteristics and the willingness to exchange medical information with a health care provider electronically.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study. The unit of analysis was the individual person. Data was obtained from cycle 3 of the fourth edition of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Weighted multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the association between individual perceptions about the importance of PHR, along with the individual characteristics, and willingness to exchange electronic information about: medication reminders, lab/test results and symptoms.

Results: In the national sample of adults in the United States, willingness to exchange information electronically was 76% for medication reminders, 67% for lab/tests and 70% for symptoms. Those who thought that accessing PHR was somewhat important, or not at all important were less likely to exchange any electronic information as compared to those who thought that it was very important. In addition, people who were older were less likely to exchange any electronic information. People living in rural areas were less likely to exchange electronic information about medication reminders and symptoms.  People having a regular provider were more likely to exchange electronic information about lab/tests and symptoms. Also, those with higher education were more likely to exchange electronic information about medication reminders.

Conclusion: Majority of the people were willing to exchange medical information electronically, however their perceptions about the importance of PHR plays an important role in this exchange.