Physicians and patients generally agree about several major health IT priorities, such as the importance of health data sharing, according to a new study by the Markle Foundation, Modern Healthcare reports (McKinney, Modern Healthcare, 1/31).
For the report, researchers surveyed 779 physicians and 1,582 adults from the general public about their views on the implementation of health IT (Merrill, Healthcare IT News, 1/31).
Key Findings
The survey found that:
- About 80% of both patients and physicians said information sharing requirements could be important to coordinating care and reducing the likelihood of medical errors (Modern Healthcare, 1/31);
- Large majorities of both patients and physicians support efforts to ensure the privacy of personal health information;
- Large majorities of both groups said it will be important to measure whether public health IT spending has contributed to improvements in health care quality and safety; and
- About two-thirds of both groups said patients should be able to download their personal health information online.
In addition, 85% of patients and 36% of physicians described themselves as "not very" or "not at all" familiar with the federal incentive payment program for the meaningful use of electronic health records. Under the 2009 economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health records will qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments.
Conclusions
Carol Diamond, managing director at Markle, said the survey provides a "powerful indication that the public and physicians alike want investments in health IT to come with accountability."
Josh Lemieux, director of personal health technology at Markle, added, "The survey also confirms that having modern information tools comes with expectations for privacy protections" (Healthcare IT News, 1/31).