Surveys show that patients would like their doctors to be more technologically savvy by utilizing electronic health records and e-prescribing systems, and communicating online.

A Deloitte survey showed that 60 percent of respondents wanted online access to their doctors, medical records, test results and same-day appointments. Furthermore, one in four respondents said they would pay physicians more for the online convenience.

A Kaiser Family Foundation study found that 72 percent of patients believed quality and coordination of medical care would improve if physicians used electronic health records (EHR). They also said EHRs would not necessarily result in cost savings.

Robert Burg, vice president of Business Development for Medem, said such information is important because consumer behavior impacts health care costs. Medem is an iHealth patient communication service founded by the AMA. It is the only service endorsed by medical liability carriers.

During a recent medical informatics summit in Indianapolis Burg said, “Patients want online services, and liability carriers are offering discounts for doctors who offer secure online health records.”

He explained that health IT can improve outcomes, for example by sending patients reminders for follow-up care, like mammography. The process, he noted, was simple. When patients make appointments, ask for e-mail addresses. If they have one, send them an e-mail with a link to your Web site to register.

A patient can start an electronic health record at home in about 15 minutes. The process also allows the patient to decide who has access to that record.

AMA online learning center for e-prescribing
In April, the AMA launched a new online learning center to help you make informed decisions about electronic prescribing.

“At the end of last year about 13 percent of physicians were prescribing electronically, but with the incentives available through Medicare’s e-prescribing incentive program and this new AMA resource, I’m certain that percentage will increase,” said AMA Board Chair Joseph Heyman, M.D.

The learning center includes:

• Complete and unbiased information on e-prescribing vendor prices and features
• Calculators to estimate time savings and determine Medicare e-prescribing incentive payments
• Information on federal and state programs offering e-prescribing incentives
• Readiness and planning tools to map out an implementation plan

Find the electronic learning center here.

Also, read the Deloitte study here. Find the Kaiser study here.