Study finds 30% of patients interested in new technologies and devices that remind them to take prescription medicine

The survey charted people’s attitudes toward personal health records (PHRs) and their interest in using online tools to track health and help their doctor to be more effective. Several questions addressed using IT to help patients understand, monitor and renew prescriptions. Among the findings:

• Health providers’ interest in electronic health records (EHRs) make patients more interested in those tools. Respondents who say their doctor uses EHRs are more likely to want a PHR (50% interested versus 41%). They are also more interested in devices and applications than people whose doctor does not have an EHR.

• 62% of respondents ranked highly the statement: "Technology can help keep all of your information in one place so all your doctors can see it. ... You would not have to ask for tests or results from other doctors, and you would not have to bring test results, information about medicines, or other information to see a doctor."
• Half or more of users indicate the ability to schedule a doctor visit, look at test results, renew their prescriptions online or e-mail their doctors is somewhat or very useful.
• When asked if they would be interested in using a website, program or application to keep track of their health and share this information with their doctor, 30% answered "very" or "somewhat interested" in new technologies and devices that remind them when to take prescriptions.

"Although there will always be a segment of the population that is not comfortable with new technologies, these tools have the potential to change the way people care for themselves, and that's a strong motivator," says CHCF Vice President of Programs Sam Karp. "While there is still a lot of work to be done to overcome concerns about privacy, as more physicians adopt EHRs, their patients will have easier access to their health information. Most important, we need physicians and patients to start talking about how these tools can improve their communication and assist patients to be more in control of their own health."

Access the complete survey results.