Abstract:

In the past, patients only had access to their medical records by visiting a medical records department of a hospital or health care institution to request a paper record. Over time, there has been a shift toward increased use of electronic health records systems (eHR), which has made it easier to share this information with other health care providers and enable patient access through an electronic personal health record (ePHR). This movement has allowed Canadians to manage their own health by providing electronic access to their health information and health care services (Consumer Health Solutions, n.d.).

Sunnybrook Hospital approached other health care facilities in Toronto, such as the Baycrest Centre for Geriatrics, to aid in developing an ePHR called MyChart which would enable the sharing of health information locally. As such Baycrest Centre is in the early stages of implementation of MyChart. MyChart offers self-management tools that are controlled by patients such as diaries to record health history, symptoms, and medications, emergency contact information as well as providing access to health education sites and appointment scheduling.

Baycrest implemented ePHR in the spring of 2012 with pilot projects in three different clinical areas of outpatient services. To assess the overall importance of the ePHR program, questionnaires were given to 188 family members of the patients in six units of the Apotex. There was a final response rate of 35%.

The results showed that the majority of respondents felt it was extremely important that they had access to their loved one’s health records and in particular wanted to be provided with test results, doctor’s notes and medication lists. Two primary reasons for wanting access were identified. First, family members felt that the information would improve communication with the medical staff surrounding the care of their loved ones and second, they felt that it would provide a more accurate awareness of their loved ones medical status. In general, the study participants indicated that access through an ePHR could potentially influence the care of their loved ones in a positive way, as it would enable them to be informed participants when discussing a family member’s care with the medical staff. However, there were concerns that this ePHR medium could have the potential to decrease face to face interactions with health care professionals involved with the care plan if assumptions are made that an ePHR is keeping the family members informed. Recommendations to Baycrest’s ePHR program includes such items as organizing the PHR so that patients and their families can be better informed and allowing for comprehensive access to the records. Implementation of an ePHR throughout Baycrest requires that systems be in place to support the health care providers as they learn about how to navigate the ePHR with ease.

Keywords:

Electronic Health Records, Personal Health Records, technology, healthcare management.