Oct 18
2013
ONC: “Technology Will Improve Your Health”
ONC’s HealthIT.gov published the following graphic aimed directly at consumers, expanding on its education strategy. For those that live in health IT, much of the information included here has been seen multiple times. Perhaps there is little new here.
However, there are a few nuggets that I personally find of interest that are worth sharing. According to the the feds, “between 2001 and 2011, the number of doctors using an EHR system grew about 57 percent, making it easier for you and all of your doctors to coordinate your care, and often reducing the chance of medical errors.”
Now that studies have suggested that about 66 percent of the population would switch to a doctor using an EHR versus one not using one, we’re going to see this stat is every piece of collateral in support of the effort; in fact, that same story has been reported here at this twice (this makes the third time). That detail is included here, too, as we would expect.
Also, apparently, people with access to EHRs are more likely to be more engaged in their health and apps are making health information available more than ever before, which is without question.
What seems most interesting though is that despite the virtually countless arguments made about the lack of technological innovation in healthcare and the need to “bring healthcare into the 21st century,” as far as patient engagement tools are concerned, emerging technologies are offering new ways to doctors and their patients to connect, monitor and track results and, hopefully, lead to better patient outcomes.
ONC holds nothing back. “Technology will improve your health,” the organization claims for the following reasons.
- Less paperwork
- Easy, electronic access to your health records
- Better care coordination between providers
- Faster, more accurate prescriptions
- Fewer unnecessary tests and proceedures
- Greater control over your health
But, as the old saying goes, just because you lead a horse to water, doesn’t mean you can make him drink. Meaning, personal accountability, action and responsibility for one’s good health are required. Technology alone will make no one healthier, I’m sure you’ll agree.
