Patient perspectives on a personally controlled electronic health record used in regional Australia: ‘I can be like my own doctor’

Patient perspectives on a personally controlled electronic health record used in regional Australia
‘I can be like my own doctor’
Lisa Hanna, PhD, Stephen D Gill, PhD, Laura Newstead, MHP, Melanie Hawkins, MPH, Richard H Osborne, PhD
First Published August 2, 2016 research-article
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Abstract
Background:

Personally controlled electronic health records (PCEHRs) are being implemented throughout Australia; yet few studies have investigated patients’ experiences of using a PCEHR.
Aim:

To explore patients’ experiences and perspectives of using a locally developed PCEHR implemented in an Australian health service.
Method:

Twelve patients completed individual semi-structured telephone interviews, which underwent inductive analysis.
Results:

Participants described two main interdependent advantages of PCEHRs: improved quality of healthcare through better information sharing and enhanced patient capacity for self-management. To realise these advantages, widespread acceptance and use of PCEHRs by healthcare providers is required, and PCEHRs need to be simple to use and accessible.
Conclusion:

PCEHRs can produce tangible benefits for patients. However, maximum benefits will be realised when PCEHRs contain a complete collection of relevant health information and are carefully designed for easy use.