ONC
Data Brief 34, published last month, examined the disparities in
individuals’ access and use of health information technology in 2014. Findings
from nationally representative surveys show that individuals' use of
information technology (IT) for health needs increased significantly between
2013 and 2014. Prior analysis revealed that disparities in online access of medical
records and use of IT for health-related needs existed by certain
socio-demographic characteristics and geographic settings in 2013.
The
data reveal 5 major trends:
1. Individuals whose provider had an EHR were offered online
access to their medical record at three times the rate of those whose provider
does not.
In 2014, individuals whose provider had an EHR had significantly higher rates
of using IT for health needs compared to individuals whose provider did not
have an EHR. The percent of individuals offered access to online medical
records, emailing providers, and looking up test results online increased
between 2013 and 2014; however, the rate of increase was greater among those
whose provider had an EHR.
2. Individuals with lower incomes and less education had
significantly lower rates of being offered online access to their health
information.
While about half of individuals with incomes of $100,000 or more were offered
online access to their health information, only about one-quarter of
individuals with less than a $25,000 annual income were offered online access. Individuals
with more than a four year college degree were offered online access at about
twice the rate as individuals who had a high school degree or less.
3. Individuals who had difficulty speaking English were offered
online access to their medical records at significantly lower rates. While 39% of
individuals who spoke English very well or well were offered online access to
their medical record, only 15% of individuals who didn't speak English well and
only 5% of those who didn't speak English at all were offered online access to
their medical record. Almost twice as many white, non-Hispanic individuals were
offered online access to their medical record as compared to Hispanic
individuals.
4. Among individuals offered online access to their medical
record, those with higher incomes and more education were more likely to view
their record.
Individuals with annual incomes of at least $50,000 had significantly higher
rates of viewing their online medical record compared to individuals with
incomes less than $25,000. While almost two-thirds of individuals with annual
incomes higher than $100,000 viewed their online medical record at least once
within the past year, only about one-third of individuals with incomes less
than $25,000 viewed their record within the past year. Individuals with a high
school degree or less had significantly lower rates of viewing their online
medical record compared to individuals with more than a four-year college
degree. Individuals with a four-year college degree or more education were over
twice as likely to view their online medical record compared to those without a
high school degree.
5. Individuals with more education and higher income use
certain types of IT for health-related needs at significantly higher rates. Individuals 50-59 years
of age had significantly higher rates of text-messaging and emailing their
provider, looking up online test results, and using a mobile health application
compared to individuals 70 years or older. Individuals with no disabilities had
significantly higher rates of emailing their provider and using a mobile health
application than individuals with a disability. Individuals residing in rural
areas have significantly lower rates of emailing their provider, looking up
test results online and using a smart phone health application compared to
individuals residing in suburban settings.
What do you make of the results? Do your experiences with patients
reflect the data above? Let us know in the comments below.
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