Internet-based PHRs - Will This Define Future Health Care?

[tex]

Hi All,

Participation is still small, (about 4%), but online-based medical records seems to be a growing trend, especially for people with certain health issues. This article sheds some light on the current status:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... sNewsThird

How do you feel - is this development in health care trends good or bad?

Love,
Tex

[grannyh]

I know people who live in areas where the doctors are employed by their local hospital.. all records are available to the hospital and all of the doctors..it works out great when you have to see a new doctor in the same area.

However, none of the doctors we use are linked in any way.

I don't think we will have a choice... electronic records are mandated at some point by Obamacare...
grannyh

[Linda in BC]

Our little town was chosen as a pilot site for this in British Columbia and we went to such a system about 3 months ago. WE are one of the first in BC. Since we have doctors coming and leaving here so often, I think it will be handy.. you never know when your doc will leave and you will have to go to a new clinic to see a new doctor. However, I encountered the down side to this right away. Had a bone density scan done and the day I went in to get the results when they had come back, (after waiting a couple of weeks for an appointment to see my doctor) the computers were down, and he could not access my results! Had to wait another two weeks to get in to see him again to get them.

By the way, he said my leg bones look good and there was a little osteoarthritis in my spine but my risk of having a fracture in the next five years was LOW. I feel fortunate since I have had this disease and chronic D for so many years- but I have taken calcium supplements faithfully since my twenties , and get a lot of weight bearing excercise living rurally, so I think those things have protected me.


Linda

[Gayle]

Electronic records, the good, the bad and the UGLY.

Earlier this fall I developed an upper respiratory infection. As I often do, had to see the Dr, in order to get some kind of inhaler for short term use due to my ’ hyper–reactive’ airway.

On this particular day I did have to see a different Doc, as my regular was not there. All was fine with him and in the course of talking with me he asked a “normal” question which was “Do you smoke?” My answer was no. Nothing unusual here was it???

Well guess my amazement when the medicare statement came on that visit and included in the commentary space regarding that office call, was information regarding the fact that smoking history had been assessed – and stating that I am a NON-SMOKER!

I took this Medicare statemen (a government form) along when I made a subsequent visit and saw my regular guy. He was astounded to see this, and also immediately wondered what else is being gathered?

Now do I really care who knows I am a non-smoker? Of course --- I do not.
But this has to beg the question, WHAT ELSE is a national databank --- that is fed information through medicare billing looking for regarding people, AND what better way to get such information than by your (any) Dr’s electronic records??

I think everyone needs to begin to understand that all those "privacy" forms we sign (all the time) are NOT about our (the patients) privacy!!!

Watch out folks, things are a changin. Be careful what you tell your Doctor. It ain't confidential once it is in the electronic system.



Cheers all,
Gayle

[grannyh]

I noticed my last medicare statement showed I am a smoker.. When I saw a new doctor I asked if I could refuse to answer that question.. he said "sure"... so I didn't answer.
grannyh

[MBombardier]

I'm split between trying it sometime in the future and being concerned about security issues. My PPO is a massive health care organization that has every specialty I would ever need, and the patients' medical records are available to all the MDs. That's why my gynecologist was the one to put the screws to me to get a colonoscopy--she could see on my record that I hadn't had one. The good thing about this is that the MDs that need to know about an overarching endocrine issue, for example, or family history do know, whereas they might forget to ask or I may not understand that it has bearing on a certain health situation.

But that is just one clinic. Would I want that available outside that limited venue? Not right now. Ever? Don't know.