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

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

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

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

The Impact Of Health Literacy On A Patient\u27S Decision To Adopt A Personal Health Record.

Health literacy is a concept that describes a patient\u27s ability to understand materials provided by physicians or other providers. Several factors, including education level, income, and age, can influence health literacy. Research conducted at one medical practice in Florida indicated that in spite of the patients\u27 relatively low education level, the majority indicated a broad acceptance of personal health record (PHR) technology. The key variable explaining patient willingness to adopt a PHR was the patient\u27s health literacy as measured by the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Adoption and use rates may also depend on the availability of office staff for hands-on training as well as assistance with interpretation of medical information. It is hoped that technology barriers will disappear over time, and usefulness of the information will promote increased utilization of PHRs. Patient understanding of the information remains a challenge that must be overcome to realize the full potential of PHRs

Using The Electronic Health Record Data In Real Time And Predictive Analytics To Prevent Hospital-Acquired Postoperative/Surgical Site Infections

Of critical concern to hospitals today is the prevention of postoperative (surgical site) infections that often result in increased lengths of stays for patients, increased resource demands and costs, loss of public trust and lawsuits, and needless pain and suffering for patients and their families. While all surgical patients have the potential to develop a postoperative infection, the main challenge is to identify key risk factors (both patient centered and operational) through an electronic early-warning system to reduce the likelihood of a postoperative infection from occurring. Currently, most postoperative infection risk prevention practices encompass limited use of informatics technologies or do not maximize the potential benefits. In addition, from a research perspective, there has been more focus on extrapolating electronically housed data (eg, from progress notes, operative notes, laboratory, pharmacy, radiology) retrospectively to describe poor patient outcomes for benchmarking purposes (revealing poor results and opportunities for improvement) rather than using similar sources of real-time data to prevent poor patient outcomes from occurring. This article proposes that standardized indicators, both patient centered and operational, linked to the patient\u27s electronic health record could allow for implementation of 24/7, real-time monitoring/surveillance to implement well-timed preventive interventions scaled to each patient and facility to assist caregivers in reducing the numbers of postoperative infections and improve the overall quality and costs of patient care

Impact of Health Literacy on Senior Citizen Engagement in Health Care IT Usage

Objective: Patient engagement in health care information technology (IT) is required for government reimbursement programs. This research surveyed one older adult group to determine their willingness to use health information from a variety of sources. Health literacy was also measured using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) and eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) tools. Method: Regression models determined engagement in health care IT usage and impact of literacy levels based on survey data collected from the group. Results: Although most participants have adequate literacy, they are not more likely to use health care IT than those with limited literacy scores. Knowledge of how to use the Internet to answer questions about health was statistically associated with IT usage. Discussion: Health care IT usage is important for healthy aging. The ability of older adults to understand information provided to them can impact population health including medication usage and other important factors

Information Sharing Among Health Care Employers: Using Technology To Create An Advantageous Culture Of Sharing

Purpose - This paper uses the theory of interagency information sharing as a lens to determine the benefits, risks, and past experiences of those involved in information sharing. Design/Methodology/Approach - The authors analyze the current existent literature related to sharing of information between health care employers. A theory that could be useful in the creation of a policy and management framework that would facilitate information sharing is also thoroughly explored. Commentary and analysis result in strategies for health care employers to utilize when facing the challenging issues involved with hiring employees. Findings - The paper details how human resource professionals can utilize technology and existing theory to properly implement information sharing techniques into their organization. Originality/Value - The information technology changes that are taking place within health care organizations and systems across the country create the opportunity for these organizations and systems to proactively implement strategies that will positively affect organizational performance. By investing in information sharing techniques while utilizing the theories outlined in this paper, organizations and systems may avoid many of the issues associated with hiring problem employees. Copyright © 2012 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited All rights of reproduction in any form reserved