As we noted yesterday, many policymakers are keen on the role patients can take in the health IT transition. 

Given that goal, patient engagement advocates are likely to feel encouraged by a new survey which indicates that a healthy majority of healthcare consumers are willing to make greater use of health IT. 

According to a survey of 1,000 consumers commissioned by Wolters Kluwer Health, a medical information publisher, 76 percent of those surveyed say they have the information and tools to take a more proactive role in healthcare decisions ranging from choosing healthcare providers to researching treatment options.

That said, there is still plenty of work ahead for advocates, as only 19 percent of respondents reported having their own PHR.

Survey findings showed that the notion of the “patient experience” is also gaining significance for many Americans. Three in ten adults (30 percent) want their patient experience to be the same as any other customer experience they have – such as shopping, hotel and travel experiences – complete with choices and control.

As Dr. Linda Peitzman,chief medical officer for Wolters Kluwer Health, put it when releasing the survey report, “With greater responsibility placed on patients to take a role in their own care, it’s essential that consumers have access to evidence-based tools and resources to make informed decisions about their care in partnership with their healthcare providers.  Access to research-based medical information not only can positively impact quality of care, but it also can lead to improved doctor-patient communication and relationships.”

Among other findings from the survey:

·      Women (85 percent) are more likely than men (74 percent) to believe the “consumerization” of healthcare is positive

·      More women (81 percent) than men (72 percent) feel that they have the information and tools to make their own healthcare decisions

·      More women (59 percent) than men (50 percent) strongly agree that they need to take a more proactive role in managing their care to ensure better quality of care

·      Consumers aged 35-54 (60 percent) are the most likely to strongly agree that they need to be more proactive about their care, with those aged 55+ (56 percent) coming in second and younger adults (47 percent) being least likely to agree.

The full report can be found here.