Enter Your Email Address to Receive a
Copy of MedicExhange Member Demograhpics

In healthcare, as in other sectors, there is a tendency to be drawn to the next 'new thing' (note, I do not use the word fad). In this case, substitute the words 'Personal Health Records' for new thing. I am a believer in patient empowerment and encouraging individuals to take more responsibility for their health. However, the timing and environment have to be right.

After a few years of attempting to make personal health records profitable, Microsoft is back-tracking and as reported on FT.com, has abandoned efforts to charge US users for the service (Microsoft drops US HealthVault profit plans). Microsoft states that the company has made this decision because of the complexity of the US healthcare system.

I believe the answer is less about complexity and more about readiness of the environment. Simply put, we are just not ready for personal health records. They are a great concept and something that will be core to healthcare delivery -- at a point in the future. It is hard to predict how far ahead that might be, however I believe that widespread adoption of personal health records will only take place once we have ubiquitous adoption of EMRs by clinicians. This will extend the ability for personal health records to become relevant.

The most important connection for patients is still with their care provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner). Widespread adoption (and use) of EMRs will signify that the environment is ready.

Whether 5, 10 or 15 years ahead, I believe the predictions about personal health records will be spot on. Not just profitable for the company or organization that get's it right, but an enabler for patients who need to book or cancel appointments, receive reminders and check lab and diagnostic results.

What are your thoughts about Personal Health Records? Do you agree or disagree with these observations? Click on the 'Comments' link below.

Read More: http://blog.canadianemr.ca/canadianemr/2010/11/too-early-for-personal-health-records.html

Based upon over 2,000 surveys of Ontario physicians completed by OntarioMD since 2008, the following data was published Nov 17, 2010.

Key findings:

Latest survey results for 2010 indicate that:

• 90% are using EMRs regularly to write and renew prescriptions;
• 90% are regularly receiving and managing lab results electronically, up from 82% in 2008;
• 92% are using their EMRs to enter their encounter notes, eliminating the need for paper records;
• 73% felt they were primarily paperless, up from 60% in 2008.

A key concern with physicians adopting an EMR is how it will affect their practice especially their productivity and revenues.

• In 2010, 84% of physicians reported improved or the same revenues, up from 74% in 2008;
• In 2010, 79% reported improved or the same productivity, up from 62% in 2008.

Download EMR-Meaningful-Use-Results-nov-17.pdf (305.1K)

To add your thoughts or comments, click on the 'Comments' link below

Read More: http://blog.canadianemr.ca/canadianemr/2010/11/ontariomd-survey-of-2000-physicians-between-2008-and-2010.html