A looming digital divide? Group differences in the perceived importance of electronic health records

• Published in: Information, communication & society Vol. 18; no. 7; pp. 832 - 846
• Main Authors: Anthony, Denise L., Campos-Castillo, Celeste
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 03-07-2015; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Access; Access to health care; Comparisons; Differences; Digital; Digital divide; Electronic health records; Electronic medical records; Electronics; Health; Health care; Health care access; Health Care Services; Health Care Utilization; health disparities; health information technology; Health Problems; Inequality; Internet; Mental health; Patients; Population; Populations; Potential barriers; Psychological Distress; Racial Differences; Socioeconomic Status; Surveys; Users
• ISSN: 1369-118X; 1468-4462
• DOI: 10.1080/1369118X.2015.1006657

Electronic health records (EHRs) are expected to bring a variety of health benefits, including reducing disparities in health-care access, but only if they are valued by all patient populations. We used the 2007 Health Information and National Trends Survey to characterize which health-care users report that electronic access to their health records is important for themselves and their providers. Respondents from populations that generally experience health-care disparities (Blacks, Latina/os, and patients with psychological distress) were among the most likely to report that the EHR was very important for themselves. Women were less likely than men to deem the EHR very important for their providers. Findings remained consistent after controlling for respondents' socioeconomic status, health status, and health care. By identifying the characteristics of current health-care users who see electronic access to records as important for themselves and providers, we can better understand potential barriers as well as motivators to adoption that could contribute to equitable usage across groups or a digital divide.