Public Attitudes about Health Information Technology, and Its Relationship to Health Care Quality, Costs, and Privacy

• Published in: Health services research 2011-06, Vol.46 (3), p.920-938
• Main Authors: Gaylin, Daniel S., Moiduddin, Adil, Mohamoud, Shamis, Lundeen, Katie, Kelly, Jennifer A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Affinity; Aged; Analysis; Attitudes; Confidentiality; Consumer attitudes; Costs; Cross-Sectional Studies; Electronic Health Records; Electronic Prescribing; Female; Health; Health care; Health Care Costs; Health care reform; Health Care Surveys; Health Information Technology; health knowledge; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Records, Personal; Humans; Information technology; Logistic Models; Male; Medical care; Medical care quality; Medical Informatics; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Patient Satisfaction; practice; Privacy; public opinion; Quality management; Quality of care; Quality of Health Care; Studies; Technology; United States
• ISSN: 0017-9124; 1475-6773
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2010.01233.x

Objective. To understand Americans' attitudes concerning health information technology's (IT's) potential to improve health care and differences in those attitudes based on demographics and technological affinity. Data Sources/Study Setting. A random‐digit‐dial sample with known probability of selection for every household in the United States with a telephone, plus a supplemental sample of cell phone users. Telephone interviews were conducted from August 2009 through November 2009. Study Design. Data were analyzed to present univariate estimates of Americans' opinions of health IT, as well as multivariate logistic regressions to assess hypotheses relating individuals' characteristics to their opinions. Characteristics used in our model include age, race, ethnicity, gender, income, and affinity to technology. Findings. A large majority (78 percent) favor use of electronic medical records (EMRs); believe EMRs could improve care and reduce costs (78 percent and 59 percent, respectively); believe benefits of EMR use outweigh privacy risks (64 percent); and support health care information sharing among providers (72 percent). Regression analyses show more positive attitudes among those with higher incomes and greater comfort using electronic technologies. Conclusion. The findings suggest that American's believe that health IT adoption is an effective means to improve the quality and safety of health care.