The majority of consumers are interested in accessing their electronic medical records online, and 24 percent already have, according to a survey by Aeffect and 88 Brand Partners.
Researchers surveyed 1,000 consumers with health insurance and a primary care physician.
Of all respondents:
- 13 percent describe themselves as regular users of their online EMRs
- 9 percent have accessed their EMR once or twice
- 52 percent are interested in the technology, but have not used it
- 18 percent are not interested in accessing their EMRs online
Of the regular EMR users:
- 35 percent are caregivers for a parent or other adult family member
- 67 percent said online access to EMRs would influence their choice of a new physician
- 52 percent prefer emailing physicians rather than calling or scheduling an in-person visit
Of "trial users," who have accessed EMRs once or twice:
- More than one-third began using EMRs within the past six months
- 12 percent have exchanged emails with their physician
- 62 percent are female, the largest gender difference among any user group
Of those interested in EMR technology, but have not used it:
- 64 percent are satisfied with their current physician, the lowest satisfaction rate among the user groups
- 42 percent do not know how to use or access their EMRs
- 49 percent say access to EMRs online would be influential in their choice of a new physician
Of those who have not used an EMR and are not interested in doing so:
- 50 percent feel they do not need access to EMRs outside of a physician's office
- 43 percent only communicate with physicians during office visits
- 63 percent of this group is older than 40, representing the oldest user group
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