By Tamara StClaire, chief innovation officer for Commercial Healthcare, Xerox
Xerox’s annual survey on the usage of electronic health records found that many Americans are open to getting medical records online, if given instruction on how to obtain access by their medical providers. The survey suggests a real opportunity for physicians to engage their patients in a discussion, and let them know that the patient portal exists so they can reap those benefits.
Here’s a look at some of the results of our survey:
- Millennials are more likely to report the highest preference in accessing patient portals on the go (43 percent on smartphones).
- They also want to be able to view personalized recommendations to improve their health (44 percent), information about additional services from their doctor (44 percent), and industry news about health topics of interest to them (23 percent).
- Baby Boomers (ages 55 to 64) accounted for the highest percentage (83 percent) of Americans who say they already do or would communicate with healthcare providers via a patient portal.
- 70 percent of Boomers say they do, or would, schedule appointments; 64 percent access/review medical records/test results; 60 percent ask their physicians questions; 58 percent order prescription refills, and 40 percent request a referral.
What This Means for Healthcare Providers
Based on requirements set out by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, providers can earn Meaningful Use (MU) Stage 2 federal incentives if they demonstrate that five percent of patients are using secure portals to view, download and transmit their health information.
Although less than 720 hospitals have met MU Stage 2 requirements so far, the survey shows an appetite among Americans to use the portals.
More Information about Xerox’s Annual EHR Survey
Annual Xerox EHR Survey: Americans Open to Viewing Test Results, Handling Healthcare Online – Press release from Xerox provides a complete overview of the annual EHR survey.
Healthcare’s ‘Gutenberg Moment’ Has Arrived — Real Business reports that electronic health records are part of a game-changing convergence of technology, medicine, and social issues.
Patient Portals Point to the Future of Healthcare – A look at how Baby Boomers and Millennials will use patient portals and electronic health records.
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