EHRs and digital health tools 'dramatically transforming' care experience, patients say
Nearly 75 percent of patients expressed a high level of interest in accessing their electronic medical records, according to new research, and 33 percent indicated that EHRs have already changed their experience for the better.
"The patient experience is dramatically transforming,” CareCloud CEO Ken Comee said in a statement. “Patients of all ages are actually embracing digital online patient engagement tools from scheduling appointments to accessing their medical records and making online payments."
Contradicting stereotypes that millennials are the leading technology adopters, a CareCloud survey of 1,443 patients determined that Baby Boomers (51-65 years of age) are the group most likely to use healthcare tools.
[Also: OIG: 60 percent of hospitals reported unplanned EHR disruption - before rise of ransomware]
Sixty-two percent of baby boomers, in fact, use technology to access their health records, while 50 percent engage with health IT tools to request prescription refills, and 43 percent to ask their providers care-related questions.
When asked what was the preferred platform of interaction with a medical group, 35 percent listed online patient portal; phone calls, 29 percent; emails, 21 percent; mobile application, 8 percent; and text messaging, 7 percent.
More than 25percent of patients have completed an online review of their doctor.
"This survey of the patient experience only reinforces the importance of technology in modern medicine," Comee said.
Twitter: @HealthITNews
