ONC to survey consumers on privacy, HIE
By Mary Mosquera
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT plans to conduct a nationwide survey of public opinion about electronic health information exchange and the privacy and security of personal data that is shared.
“Little is known about individuals' attitudes toward health information exchange and the extent to which they are interested in determining by whom and how their health information is shared,” according to an announcement by the Health and Human Services Department in the March 19 Federal Register.
ONC hopes to collect about 25,000 responses over eight weeks. After analyzing the data, ONC will prepare and post a report and conduct an online presentation about its results. The data will inform ONC programs and policy.
The announcement did not provide details of when ONC would conduct the survey.
Health information exchange promises improved health care quality, safety, and efficiency by delivering to providers up-to-date patient data at the point of care. Health IT and information exchange may also offer individuals new and more effective methods to engage with their providers and affect how their health information may be exchanged.
The notice is online.
