Australians want e-health
December 12, 2013
Global consulting and
technology outsourcing firm
Accenture has released the results
of an international survey which
found a large majority (78%) of
Australian health patients want full
access to their electronic medical
records.
The reality however, is that
the survey found only 22% of
consumers currently have access.
Accenture surveyed more than
9,000 consumers including 1,002
Australians.
The findings are consistent with
other research demonstrating only
18% of Australian doctors believe
that patients should have full
access to their own records.
Supporting the growing trend of
patient engagement, nearly half
of Australian consumers (47%)
surveyed without online access
to their medical records would be
willing to switch doctors to gain
access.
This percentage rises to 55%
among consumers under 55 years
in age without online access to
their records.
“The health sector is developing
more advanced electronic
capabilities to support clinical
decision-making and more
integrated care,” said Leigh
Donoghue, managing director of
Accenture’s health business in
Australia.
“Consumer engagement is a
part of this, but not necessarily a
primary driver.
“This may need rethinking in
light of the considerable gap
between doctor and consumer
attitudes towards electronic access
to medical records, particularly
for younger, technology-savvy
consumers.”
“It is essential that we find a way
to balance the legitimate needs and
concerns of Australian doctors with
the rising needs and expectations
of consumers in a digital age,” he
highlighted.
“More must be done to enable
consumers to play an active role in
their own care.”
The patient survey also revealed
the majority of Australian patients
(60%) do not actively track aspects
of their health, such as health
indicators, health history and
physical activity.
This compares poorly with a 48%
average across the eight other
countries in the survey which
included Brazil, Canada, the UK,
France, Germany, Spain, Singapore
and the USA.
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