The meaningful use program requires a certain percentage of patients to use patient health records and patient portals in order for a provider or hospital to successfully attest to meaningful use (5 percent for stage 2 and 10 percent for stage 3), and a new study in Journal of Medical Internet Research finds patients are far exceeding the benchmark.
Researchers' analysis indicates 8 million people were storing data on the Internet and communicating electronically with a clinical provider in 2008. By 2013, that number grew to 31 million users. A best-performing model suggests personal health record adoption will exceed 75 percent by 2020, according to the researchers. "Therefore, the meaningful use program targets for PHR adoption are below the rates likely to occur without an intervention," they wrote.
Given the high number of patients using the technologies, researchers suggest the benchmarks are "minimal capability and engagement targets."
Researchers suggest the meaningful use program factors in a more ambitious uptake and functionality in future consumer engagement goals.
More articles on meaningful use:
MU stage 3, modification rules finalized: 12 things to know
CMS' Andy Slavitt hints at MU's finale: 6 things to know
The end of meaningful use: 6 health IT leaders react