Electronic health records have a strong potential to revolutionize the delivery of care in the U.S. Many experts believe that they will improve patient care while increasing efficiency and bringing down costs. However, analysts are increasingly saying that these benefits may not happen unless patients are onboard with the use of technology and take an active role.
In particular, patient involvement may play an important part in healthcare providers proving meaningful use of the electronic health records, which will qualify them for incentives. This is the main finding of a recent report from the Health Research Institute.
"Successful use of electronic health information will ultimately be measured in better patient outcomes, higher quality and reduced costs," said Bruce Henderson, who directed the study. "Health systems need to have both patients and physicians actively using the health information to make care decisions, and they aren't there yet.
The study showed that only 14 percent of patients said that their physicians use electronic health records. Furthermore, another 30 percent said that they didn't know why it would be important for their doctors to track their records electronically.