InformationWeek Asks: Why Do People Fear EHRs?

NEW YORK, July 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In healthcare, the fear of new technology and an ever-increasing awareness of security and privacy concerns are driving patients away from electronic health records (EHRs). However, this doesn't have to be the case.

In a column for InformationWeek, Mansur Hasib, who has 30 years of experience in the IT field, including time as a CIO, writes that many patients are opting for older paper files, even though these documents are riddled with their own security concerns.

Hasib found that, during the creation of healthcare exchanges, the US government's Healthcare.gov website offered automatic verification of application data for users, but most users opted for manual verification, which subjected their patient histories to human error and other problems associated with paper records. He writes: "If applicants chose automated verification, their applications could be approved within seconds without needing any documentation. If they chose manual verification, their applications would get stuck in a case worker's queue."

Additionally, even though many believe the manual option would mean their histories would remain on paper, eventually all the records are converted to EHRs. In the column, Hasib explains why US patients should overcome their fears and concerns about EHRs and how the technology creates a better experience for patients, doctors, and the IT workers in charge of securing the data.

Each day, InformationWeek offers insights in how technology is changing the way business is done, including in the healthcare field. Check InformationWeek out each day for more insight and expert opinion.

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SOURCE InformationWeek