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John C. Goodman, What Is Consumer-Directed Health Care?, Health Affairs Web Exclusive, October 24, 2006 [Abstract] [PDF] [Full Text] [Reprints & Permissions]

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Empowerment, Educating and EHRs not just Economics

Prajesh N. Chhanabhai, Alec Holt   ( 30 October 2006 )

Empowerment, Educating and EHRs not just Economics 30 October 2006
Prajesh N. Chhanabhai, PhD Candidate, Health Informatics Group University of Otago, Alec Holt Send comment to journal: Re: Empowerment, Educating and EHRs not just Economics pchhanabhai{at}infoscience.otago.ac.nz Prajesh N. Chhanabhai, et al.	Goodman's paper raised a number of points. However, more important than health economics -- after all, we are concerned with appropriate health care -- is the shift from patient to health consumer and the subsequent change in the doctor-patient relationship. Make no doubt, there are some massive change management issues for doctors to deal with. However, empowerment of the patient allows patients to become more informed, involved, and proactive in aspects of their health care, from preventive through to palliative care. Hence, they can work together with the doctor for hopefully a more optimal outcome. If we think the economics through, in the future this may actually save money and time: If the consumer does their homework correctly, it can save the doctors finding resources to inform the consumer. But ultimately their dialogue will be accelerated -- early diagnosis, etc. -- plus we will potentially have many people with well health records, monitoring and tracking their health and even people with chronic disease at home. This must save money. Enough about economics. Educating, empowering, and electronic health records (EHRs) should be the catch-phrases in health care: Educating health care consumers to empower them through the use of EHRs. However, EHRs need to be implemented correctly if they are to provide both the educating and empowering role. Privacy, security, and confidentiality are still important issues to resolve. Goodman focused on the financial aspect of patients being choosers, the use of EHRs, and lack of e-mail and telephone conversations. These three areas are changing with the advent of technology; therefore, there is a bigger picture to address other than just the economics of health care. The current crop of medical interns are more aware of the role of technology in health care. It is the older doctors who will feel the cost of the move to total digital information.