Trends in Individuals' Access, Viewing and Use of Online Medical Records and Other Technology for Health Needs: 2017-2018
- PMID: 39680700
- Bookshelf ID: NBK610221
Trends in Individuals' Access, Viewing and Use of Online Medical Records and Other Technology for Health Needs: 2017-2018
Excerpt
The access, exchange, and use of electronic health information is essential for individuals to better manage their health care needs and share information with their providers and caregivers. Many hospitals and physicians possess capabilities that enable patients to view and download their health information. However, additional steps are needed to make health information more accessible and useful to individuals (1, 2). A majority of individuals have smartphones and use applications (apps) to help them manage various tasks. The 21st Century Cures Act emphasizes the importance of making patient health information more easily accessible and the need for greater education regarding patients’ rights to access their health information (3). This data brief uses the Health Information Trends Survey (HINTS), a nationally representative survey, to assess individuals’ access, viewing and use of their online medical records, and the use of smartphone health apps and other electronic devices in 2017 and 2018.
Sections
- Highlights
- The percentage of individuals offered access to their online medical record did not change between 2017 and 2018.
- Among individuals who had been offered access to an online medical record, nearly six in 10 viewed their record at least once in 2018.
- Individuals’ viewing of online medical records varied by their health care usage, rural/urban location, socio-demographic characteristics, Internet access and use, and overall health.
- Most individuals cited their preference to speak to a provider directly and perceived lack of need as reasons for not viewing their online medical records in 2017 and 2018.
- Nearly eight in 10 individuals who viewed their online medical record reported that it included summaries of their office visits in 2018.
- In 2018, the percent of individuals who viewed their online medical record and downloaded their record data increased by over 30 percent.
- Half of individuals that viewed their online medical record used it to communicate with their health care providers via secure messaging in 2018.
- In 2018, half of smartphone or tablet owners used a health or wellness app
- Three-quarters of individuals with a health and wellness app used it to track progress on a healthrelated goal in 2018.
- In 2018, one in five individuals owned a tablet or smartphone and were offered access to their online medical record but had not viewed their record within the past year.
- Summary
- Definitions
- Data Availability
- References
- Acknowledgements
References
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- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy; U.S. Hospital Adoption of Patient Engagement Functionalities. 2016 Sep; https://www.healthit.gov/data/quickstats/us-hospital-adoption-patient-en...
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- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy; Office-based Physician Electronic Patient Engagement Capabilities. 2016 Dec; https://www.healthit.gov/data/quickstats/office-based-physician-electron...
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- U.S. Congress; 21st Century Cures Act. 2016 Dec 13; https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-114publ255/pdf/PLAW-114publ255.pdf
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- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy; Individuals' Perceptions of the Privacy and Security of Medical Records and Health Information Exchange 2018 May ; https://www.healthit.gov/data/quickstats/individuals-perceptions-privacy... - PubMed
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- Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary; 21st Century Cures Act: Interoperability, Information Blocking, and the ONC Health IT Certification Program (85 FR 25642) 2020 May 01; https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/01/2020-07419/21st-cen...
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