Intention To Use A Personal Health Record (phr) A Cross Sectional View Of The Characteristics And Opinions Of Patients Of One Internal Medicine Practice

A personal health record (PHR) allows a patient to exert control over his/her healthcare by enhancing communication with healthcare providers. According to research, patients find value in having access to information contained in their medical records. Often a glossary is required to aid in interpreting the information and understanding the content. However, giving patients the ability to speak with providers about their medical conditions empowers them to participate as informed healthcare consumers. The majority of patients (75%) at Medical Specialists expressed their intention to adopt the PHR if it is made available to them. Although the perceived usefulness of a PHR was a significant determining factor, comfort level with technology, health literacy, and socioeconomic status were indirectly related to intention to adopt as well. Perceived health status was not found to be a significant factor in this population for determining intention to adopt a PHR. The majority of patients in each category of gender, age, marital status, and race/ethnicity (except American Indian/Alaska Native) expressed interest in adopting a PHR, with most categories being above 70%. Findings indicate a broad acceptance of this new technology by the patients of Medical Specialists. Improvement of adoption and use rates may depend on availability of office staff for hands-on training as well as assistance with interpretation of medical information. Hopefully, over time technology barriers will disappear, and usefulness of the information will promote increased demand

Can caregivers trust information technology in the care of their patients? A systematic review

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires that healthcare providers allow patients to engage in their healthcare by allowing access to their health records. Often patients need informal caregivers including family members or others to help them with their care. This paper explores whether trust is a key factor for informal caregivers’ decision to use health information technologies (HIT) including electronic health records (EHR), patient portals, mobile apps, or other devices to care for their patient. Six reviewers conducted a comprehensive search of four literature databases using terms that pertained to a caregiver and trust to investigate the role trust plays when caregivers use HIT. While trust is a key factor for the use of HIT, it the researchers only identified ten articles that met the research question thresholds. Four main topics of trust surfaced including perceived confidentiality, perceived security, technological malfunction, and trustworthiness of the information. Trust is a critical factor for informal caregivers when using HIT to assist in the care of their patient (child, loved one, parent, or acquaintance). Based on the findings, it is clear that more research on the use of HIT by caregivers is needed

Privacy Policy Analysis For Health Information Networks And Regional Health Information Organizations

Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs) are forming in response to President George W. Bush\u27s 2004 mandate that medical information be made available electronically to facilitate continuity of care. Privacy concerns are a deterrent to widespread acceptance of RHIOs. The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 provides some guidelines for privacy protection. However, most states have stricter guidelines, causing difficulty when RHIOs form across these jurisdictions. This article compares several RHIOs including their privacy policies where available. In addition, studies were reviewed considering privacy concerns of people in the United States and elsewhere. Surveys reveal that Americans are concerned about the privacy of their personal health information and ultimately feel it is the role of the government to provide protection. The purpose of this article is to look at the privacy issues and recommend a policy that may help to resolve some of the concerns of both providers and patients. Policy research and action are needed to move the National Health Information Network toward reality. Efforts to provide consistency in privacy laws are a necessary early step to facilitate the construction and maintenance of RHIOs and the National Health Information Network. ©2007Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc

Missing Link Of The Health Information Exchange Loop: Engaging Patients

Since 2004, the services of the Florida Health Information Exchange (HIE) have grown, and in 2011, the state contracted with Harris Corporation to provide some basic services to the Florida health care industry and provide functional improvements to the expanding state-wide HIE. The endeavors of this public-private partnership continue to the present day; however, as HIE services have expanded, challenges continue to be encountered. Ultimately, successful exchange of medical data requires patient engagement and “buy-in.” The purpose of this article will consider why patient engagement is important for HIE success, offer recommendations to improve both patient and provider interest, and consider the importance of online patient portals to increase the effectiveness of health record keeping and the sharing of vital patient medical information needed by caregivers and their patients

Future Sustainability Of The Florida Health Information Exchange

Florida began the journey to health information connectivity in 2004 under Governor Jeb Bush. Initially these efforts were funded by grants, but due to the downturn in the economy, the state was unable to support growth in 2008. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provided funding to further expand health information exchange efforts across the country. As a result, Florida was now able to move forward and make progress in information sharing. Harris Corporation was contracted to provide some basic services to the health care industry in 2011. Since then, the Florida HIE has begun to take shape and information sharing is occurring. The ARRA funding will end in 2014 and the Florida HIE must have a plan to survive into the future. This plan must address challenges such as the recruitment of new users, integration of new services, and ultimately long term sustainability. Copyright © 2013, IGI Global

Florida Health Information Exchange: A Journey To Improving Care Through The Exchange Of Patient Health Information

Florida began the journey to health information connectivity in 2004 under Governor Jeb Bush. Initially these efforts were funded by grants, but due to the downturn in the economy, the state was unable to support growth in 2008. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided funding to further expand health information exchange efforts across the country. As a result, Florida is now able to move forward and make progress in information sharing. Harris Corporation was contracted to provide some basic services to the health care industry in 2011. However, challenges remain as privacy and security regulations are put in place to protect patients\u27 information. With two seemingly opposing mandates, sharing the information versus protecting the information, challenges continue to impede progress. © 2013, IGI Global

Electronic Health Record Project Initiation And Early Planning In A Community Health Center

Community health centers exist to help their constituents become proactive in addressing their own health care needs and to improve the overall well-being of the community. However, they pose a different set of challenges when implementing an electronic health record system. This article applies 2 project management principles, initiation and early planning, to the electronic health record implementation in a community health center. Issues such as planning, financial considerations, and quality improvement are discussed. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Intention To Use A Personal Health Record: A Theoretical Analysis Using The Technology Acceptance Model

Physicians who have an electronic health record in their office may have the option to provide their patients with a personal health record. Research was undertaken to determine if a patient population would indeed use a personal health record if the physician(s) made it available in the future. The technology acceptance model was used to evaluate both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use (technology barriers). Although the perceived usefulness of a personal health record was a significant determining factor related to intention to adopt, technology barriers were indirectly related to intention to adopt as well. Technology barriers can be addressed by providing office staff for hands-on training as well as assistance with interpretation of medical information. Longitudinal research is needed to determine if the technology barriers decline over time and usefulness of the information promotes increased demand. Copyright © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd

The Use Of Governance Tools In Promotion Of Health Care Information Technology Adoption By Physicians

Electronic health records are important technology for health care with promises of streamlining and improving care. However, physicians have been slow to adopt the technology usually because of financial constraints. Third-party payers, including Medicare and Medicaid, are coming forward with solutions and funding. While payers have the most to gain in terms of cost savings, they have been slow to provide a solution to the financial dilemmas posed by the new technology. This article details some governance tools that are frequently used to alleviate the financial concerns. Grants, loans, and tax expenditures are some of the options available to physicians to purchase electronic health records and other types of health care information technology. Copyright © 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Cloud Computing And Patient Engagement: Leveraging Available Technology

Cloud computing technology has the potential to transform medical practices and improve patient engagement and quality of care. However, issues such as privacy and security and fit can make incorporation of the cloud an intimidating decision for many physicians. This article summarizes the four most common types of clouds and discusses their ideal uses, how they engage patients, and how they improve the quality of care offered. This technology also can be used to meet Meaningful Use requirements 1 and 2; and, if speculation is correct, the cloud will provide the necessary support needed for Meaningful Use 3 as well