Americans are welcoming the introduction of e-health records while continuing to worry that their privacy could be compromised by unauthorized access to records systems, according to a new national survey commissioned by the Markle Foundation.
Three-quarters of those surveyed said the government has a role in making rules to protect the privacy and confidentiality of online health information, and two-thirds of respondents said the government has a role in making rules governing third-party access to personal health information.
“People want to have control over whether their data are used for nonmedical purposes and expect the government to establish rules that will protect them,” said David Lansky, senior director of the foundation’s health program.
In another government-related finding, three-quarters of the respondents said they would willingly share their health information to help public officials detect disease outbreaks and investigate how to improve health care – as long as their identities were protected.
All but 3 percent agreed their doctors should have access to their complete medical records in order to provide the best care, and all but 4 percent said individuals should have access to their own records to manage their health.
Eighty percent of those surveyed said they are very concerned about identity theft or fraud, and 77 percent are very concerned about information getting into the hands of marketers.
“They clearly look to the government to provide some protection,” foundation President Zoë Baird said at a press conference.
When asked about the debate over privacy protections in pending federal health information technology legislation, Baird said the survey does not suggest that federal legislation is the only way to protect online health information. For example, she said, states also can act to ensure the confidentiality of EHRs.
The nationwide survey of 1,003 people was taken in mid-November.
Government Health IT presents Liesa Jo Jenkins, executive director of CareSpark, in this recent eSeminar, where she shared her experiences and insight into building a health information exchange that enhances community health, rewards regional collaboration and drives economic progress.
