Study: Consumers say EMR benefits outweigh privacy risks

A new study by the Wall Street Journal Online and Harris Interactive has concluded that a substantial majority of Americans believe EMR benefits outweigh privacy risks. According to the survey, which reached 2,153 U.S. adults, three-quarters believe that patients would benefit if doctors and researchers could share clinical information electronically. Sixty-three percent felt that EMRs could cut medical errors, and 55 percent felt that they could cut healthcare costs.

Meanwhile, patient who did have an EMR seemed very satisfied with it. Among patients whose providers use an EMR, half said that they were confident that their provider could see their entire clinical history and status, while only 27 percent of those whose providers didn't use EMRs felt the same way.

To find out more about the survey:
- read this Wall Street Journal piece

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