Adoption of Digital Medical Records, p-1
Factors Influencing Adoption of Digital Medical Records:
Individual Characteristics, Privacy, and Technology Attributes
National and Regional Implementations of Digital Medial Records
Digital Medical Records
The nature of health care in the US, largely HMO based, is driving the implementation of
digital medical records systems (DMRs), in response to a demand for data transparency, reduced
costs, and better health care (Gunter & Terry, 2005). Concerns over medical mistakes, the
widespread occurrence of ambulatory care, and the increasing responsibility among patients for
their health care are among the reasons DMRs have become a priority for health care providers.
However, providers must also respond to patient demands for privacy, access, correction, and
consent, as well as legislative demands for legal compliance (Gunter & Terry, 2005).
DMRs are credited with improving health care by reducing medical errors, eliminating
handwritten clinical notes, enabling error-reducing technologies, increasing the consistency of
medical records, and providing data for research (Reynolds, 2003). Several studies have also
cited benefits for both physicians and patients (Hassol et al., 2004; Joustra-Enquist & Eklund,
2004). For example, Wang, Lau, Matsen, and Kim (2004) developed a web-based personal
health record (PHR) for patients to collect and manage their health information (medical history,
past surgeries, medications, and allergies), to request self-referrals, and to store a record of their
consultations. Thirty-two patients completed a survey in which 85% of respondents were
satisfied with the usability and 94% were satisfied with the overall online referral process. Using
DMRs in hospital databases helps ensure consistent and correct coding by physicians, as well as
context-sensitive treatment (Muller, Burkle, Irps, Roeder, & Prokosch, 2003). A study of the
30% of physicians using DMRs in 2003 reported that 78% saw an improvement in patient
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