Markle Consumer Survey Results (2003-2008)

Americans Overwhelmingly Believe Electronic Personal Health Records Could Improve Their Health. Nearly 9 in 10 Say Privacy Practices Are a Factor In Their Decision to Sign Up for One

Published: June 2008

When assessing the value of PHRs, the public sees a high potential in a number of different activities for managing personal health and health care, including improving communication with current and new doctors, checking for mistakes in their records, avoiding duplicated tests and procedures, and managing individual and family health and lifestyle. Of the 8 separate possible benefits of online PHRs that we measured, 79 percent or more of the public found each to be plausible. By majorities ranging from 87 percent to 92 percent, the public feels that provision of 6 privacy, record-access, and user remedies would be either "essential" or a significant factor in their decision to join an online PHR service.

View survey results (PDF, 527K)

Survey Finds Americans Want Electronic Personal Health Information to Improve Own Health Care

Published: November 2006

These survey results indicate most Americans are interested in accessing personal health information electronically and in ensuring that their health care providers have access to their information. Majorities express strong interest in using electronic personal health information to engage more and have more control over their care, which could affect both the quality of care they receive and the overall cost of health care. Yet, data suggest this interest is contingent on the extent to which the government and others establish sufficient privacy and confidentiality protections.

View survey results (PDF, 67K)

Attitudes of Americans Regarding Personal Health Records and Nationwide Electronic Health Information Exchange

Published: October 2005

More than 7 out of 10 Americans support the creation of a nationwide health information exchange or network for doctors and patients. They believe an electronic exchange of health information would enhance quality and increase efficiency of the health care system. Attributes of a proposed nationwide health information exchange that focus on security and privacy are rated as the highest priorities among survey respondents. These same attributes are also rated as the top reasons for supporting the creation of an exchange or network.

View survey results (PDF, 142K)

The American Public Is Largely Unaware of—But Receptive Toward—the Potential Value of PHRs

Published: July 2004

Overall, people find messages about the importance of personal access to medical records to be agreeable and persuasive. Messages that resonated most strongly with our sample of primarily chronically ill participants were those that stated PHR could help get easy, convenient access to one’s own health information.

See page 7 of the executive summary of Policies for Electronic Information Sharing Between Doctors and Patients (PDF, 228K)

Americans Want Benefits of Personal Health Records

Published: June 2003

Over 70 percent of those surveyed believe PHRs would improve the quality of health care. Over two-thirds would use PHR features that are or may be available. People with greater health care needs report the highest interest in using PHRs. In addition, people trust their doctors the most with authorized access to their PHR. Finally, nearly all are very concerned about privacy and keeping their health information secure, but believe that technology provides appropriate protections.

View survey results (PDF, 1.28M)