As a member of the technology group I will be proposing reform on electronic or e-health in the United States. The current U.S. system deters doctors and patients from embracing technology online. With online record keeping on a national scale patients records could be accessed by any doctor anywhere. This would allow for a greater mobility for aging or chronically ill patients. This would also allow the patient to access and update their status and health condition, allowing for more efficient treatment. According to a survey of health care consumers, “57% of American consumers want a secure Internet site to access medical records, schedule appointments, refill prescriptions and pay medical bills (…).”
The fears that are holding back progress on this are due mainly to privacy and patient privilege issues stemming from the lack of security of online records. With even the government pushing for a complete transition to e-record keeping, critics denote that there must be an option to opt out if a patient does not want his medical data to be stored electronically. Another large problem is the fact that the startup cost per provider office is between 10,000 and 50,000 dollars. Along with the fact that many providers are paid per visit, this has deterred many physicians from the adoption of this system.
This technology eliminates many of the problems resulting from a system of paper records kept by a single provider. By letting patients access the system at will, they will be able to update their status when feeling ill and not have to recall symptoms from memory. Moreover, “it would cut down on mistaken and unnecessary procedures and give doctors faster access to more accurate information about patients' medical histories and drug regimens.” The providers that have incorporated this technology into their practice have reaped the rewards by being able to see more patients at once. This has in fact increased their profits while increasing their effectiveness. As taxpayers we should begin to examine the current healthcare system and ways to improve it through our use of technology and e-record keepings seems to be worth a second look.
The fears that are holding back progress on this are due mainly to privacy and patient privilege issues stemming from the lack of security of online records. With even the government pushing for a complete transition to e-record keeping, critics denote that there must be an option to opt out if a patient does not want his medical data to be stored electronically. Another large problem is the fact that the startup cost per provider office is between 10,000 and 50,000 dollars. Along with the fact that many providers are paid per visit, this has deterred many physicians from the adoption of this system.
This technology eliminates many of the problems resulting from a system of paper records kept by a single provider. By letting patients access the system at will, they will be able to update their status when feeling ill and not have to recall symptoms from memory. Moreover, “it would cut down on mistaken and unnecessary procedures and give doctors faster access to more accurate information about patients' medical histories and drug regimens.” The providers that have incorporated this technology into their practice have reaped the rewards by being able to see more patients at once. This has in fact increased their profits while increasing their effectiveness. As taxpayers we should begin to examine the current healthcare system and ways to improve it through our use of technology and e-record keepings seems to be worth a second look.
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ReplyDeleteI also think that this is a good idea. I have concerns about who could be accessing the information, but overall, I think the benefits outweigh the risks. I would also like the idea of ambulances and paramedics being able to access patient information. I think it would make those critical moments more productive and efficient.
ReplyDeleteWhile I feel that Technology in general is really good as far as health care is concerned in the United States, this area I agree needs to be looked at more closely. To have an electronic medical record could save so much time if someone were to need emergency care. Especially in the area of allergies to medications and things that if not known could endanger someones life. All of that information would be accessible by the physicians.Great reform idea : )
ReplyDeleteI think EMRs sound like a good idea. One of my concerns though relates to patients updating their own information. This would be a good thing, however, I wonder how many elderly patients would feel comfortable or understand how to do this. The other thing would be if people would update their information correctly so that it would be saved into the system in the right way.
ReplyDeleteI think Jonah did a great job mentioning all the important benefits of an electronic medical record system. It's crucial to know every detail of patient's past medical records. But ike Sabrina commented above, it is very important that we make sure the patients keep their information constantly updated. Even the small medical check ups need to be documented.
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