Physicians’ Cognition and Willingness to Use on Personal Health Records

• Main Authors: Yi-Hsuan Lee, 李怡萱
• Other Authors: 林能白
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/82218534992129539447

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 健康政策與管理研究所 === 100 === Background Personal Health Records (PHRs) is an individual electronic record of health-related information and can help an individual to manage their health, improve physician-patient communication and patient empowerment by computerized tools. In recent years, the concept of PHRs has been taken into account in US, UK and Australia. With this trend Taiwan is also stepping toward developing PHRs. According to research studies, people believe the most valuable function of PHRs is related to physician. Aside from that, healthcare is a highly knowledge-intensive industry therefore physicians have more understanding of PHRs orientation and system requirements than public. Past research hardly mentioned physician’s view on PHRs development and willingness to use, therefore this is an important topic to discuss in Taiwan. Objective The purpose of this study is to explore physicians’ perspective on the need assessment of, value of, barriers to and use of PHRs. Furthermore, explore factors affecting physicians’ usage intention of PHRs by innovation diffusion theory. Ultimately, provide policy recommendations for developing PHRs. Method This qualitative study adopted in-depth interview and purposive sampling. The 17 physicians participated in semistructured interview, which were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data were collected from November 2011 to May 2012. The method of content analysis and editing analysis were employed for analysis. Findings 1. PHRs should provide services for all people for the goal of integrated care and healthcare resource-sharing. However, there might be a sequence to contain every person when considering recovery benefits. The main function of PHRs is medical treatment, health management and physician-patient communication. There will be many benefits for public, physician, and society; nevertheless, popular education, laws and PHRs systems has not ready for putting PHRs in practice. 2. Participants are willing to use PHRs. Their incentives are benefits of many aspect and proper payment system. On the other hand, system complexity and compatibility are key impact factors of adopting PHRs. 3. Policy Suggestion: There are 4 main issue should be discussed, that is PHRs standard, related laws, finance and application. Besides, government should take a stand on deciding whether to develop nationwide PHRs. If PHRs were set up by enterprise, legal feasibility and interoperability between organizations should be taken in to account. Government need to constitute regulation for protect public privacy and information safety and avoiding physician hang back because of legal risk. At initial stage, government can advance PHRs adoption by 4 ways that is “sickness”, “generation”, “intention” or “NHI institution”. Ultimately, government should subsidize and assist disadvantaged minorities for the goal of health equity and social justice.