Patient Accessible Electronic Health Records: Exploring Recommendations for Successful Implementation Strategies
Open Access
- 31 October 2008
- journal article
- Published by JMIR Publications Inc. in Journal of Medical Internet Research
- Vol. 10 (4), e34
- https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.1061
Abstract
Background: Providing patients with access to their electronic health records offers great promise to improve patient health and satisfaction with their care, as well to improve professional and organizational approaches to health care. Although many benefits have been identified, there are many questions about best practices for the implementation of patient accessible Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Objectives: To develop recommendations to assist health care organizations in providing patients with access to EHRs in a meaningful, responsible, and responsive manner. Methods: A Patient Accessible Electronic Health Record (PAEHR) Workshop was held with nationally and internationally renowned experts to explore issues related to providing patient access to the EHR and managing institutional change. Results: The PAEHR Workshop was attended by 45 participants who discussed recommendations for the implementation of patient accessible EHRs. Recommendations were discussed under four subject domains: (1) providing patient access to the EHR, (2) maintaining privacy and confidentiality related to the PAEHR, (3) patient education and navigation of the PAEHR, and (4) strategies for managing institutional change. The discussion focused on the need for national infrastructure, clear definitions for privacy, security and confidentiality, flexible, interoperable solutions, and patient and professional education. In addition, there was a strong call for research into all domains of patient accessible EHRs to ensure the adoption of evidence-based practices. Conclusions: Patient access to personal health information is a fundamental issue for patient engagement and empowerment. Health care professionals and organizations should consider the potential benefits and risks of patient access when developing EHR strategies. Flexible, standardized, and interoperable solutions must be integrated with outcomes-based research to activate effectively patients as partners in their health care. [J Med Internet Res 2008;10(4):e34]Keywords
This publication has 33 references indexed in Scilit:
- Is Canada ready for patient accessible electronic health records? A national scanBMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 2008
- Encryption Characteristics of Two USB-based Personal Health Record DevicesJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 2007
- Personal Health Records: Definitions, Benefits, and Strategies for Overcoming Barriers to AdoptionJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 2006
- Expectations of Patients and Physicians Regarding Patient-Accessible Medical RecordsJournal of Medical Internet Research, 2005
- Patient-Perceived Usefulness of Online Electronic Medical Records: Employing Grounded Theory in the Development of Information and Communication Technologies for Use by Patients Living with Chronic IllnessJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 2005
- Coming Soon to a Health Sector Near You: An Advance Look at the New Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA): Part IIWorld Health & Population, 2005
- Use of a patient-accessible electronic medical record in a practice for congestive heart failure: patient and physician experiencesJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 2004
- Providing a Web-based Online Medical Record with Electronic Communication Capabilities to Patients With Congestive Heart Failure: Randomized TrialJournal of Medical Internet Research, 2004
- A clinical management system for patient participatory health care support: Assuring the patients’ rights and confirming operation of clinical treatment and hospital administrationInternational Journal of Medical Informatics, 2004
- The Effects of Promoting Patient Access to Medical Records: A ReviewJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 2003