Many patients want to use online health care tools, but few have access to such services, according to a recent survey by market research firm Harris Interactive, FierceHealthIT reports (Byers, FierceHealthIT, 9/17).
For the survey, researchers polled 2,311 U.S. adults between July 16 and July 23. They found that:
- 65% of respondents said having online access to their medical records is "important" or "very important," but only 17% reported having such access (Roney, Becker's Hospital Review, 9/13);
- 62% said having access to an online health cost estimator is "important" or "very important," but only 6% reported having such access (Pogorelc, MedCity News, 9/11);
- 53% said the ability to email their physician is "important" or "very important," but only 12% reported having email access to their doctor;
- 51% said the ability to schedule appointments online is "important" or "very important," but only 11% reported that their physician offered such tools; and
- 50% said the ability to pay medical bills online is "important" or "very important," but only 10% reported having access to such tools (Becker's Hospital Review, 9/13).