Self-Regulated Health Care Technology and Doctor Visits; Patients Want Both

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According to an article published in American Medical News journal, a recent survey indicated that 90 percent of American’s want to use technology to manage their health care. The survey results revealed that patients not only want to self-manage their health care, but they also want to maintain the personal aspects that come with doctor visits.

The survey consisted of 1,100 Americans, all of whom want to have the option of both technology and face-to-face doctor interaction. In regard to technology, patients reported wanting online access to medical records and lab results so they could manage health care on their own time. Patients also reported wanting the ability to schedule appointments online for convenience purposes.

Julia Hallisy, DDS, founder of the Empowered Patient Coalition, said that for self-managed health care to be successful physicians will have to be intentional about engaging patients about the technology options available for managing their own health care. According to the survey, 33 percent of participants aren’t aware that they have the option or authority to access their medical information on their own.

Hallisy recommends physicians give patients specific tasks or challenges such as creating a list of three topics they want to discuss in an effort to further engage the patient. She believes that patients see the value in technology in relation to their health care, but the disconnect comes when they don’t know how to apply that value to their own medical experience.

Photo credit: ©iStockphoto.com/[Yuri_Arcurs]

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