One of the biggest concerns regarding EHR implementation is patient privacy. Some patients want to control their own data while some doctors prefer to see patients entire health picture. Some data are a lot more sensitive than others, e.g. psychological treatments are extremely private while routine checkups are not.
However, looking at the article, it seems like majority of people are willing to make all the data available to their doctors.
Meanwhile, there appears to be a strong middle ground that most consumers can accept regarding control of their records, suggested Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund.
Studies have shown that most people want all their health information in one place, with access available to all their physicians, she said.
Personally I prefer the European way where patient-privacy comes first. Be sure to keep privacy in mind in the coming months when the stimulus money starts to flow. Should a privacy standard be created and agree upon first prior to handing out stimulus money to different EHR companies? I certainly hope so.