I have reported previously about Apple's efforts to provide access to EHR data using iPhones (see: Apple Has Plans to Copy EHR Records to iPhones and Apple Watches). I must confess that I was pessimistic about this initiative but it turns out that positive results are now being announced, at least by one hospital (see: Cleveland Clinic puts EHR data onto iPhone with Apple Health Records). Below is an excerpt from the article announcing that Cleveland Clinic patients can access portions of their personal health records via iPhones. Below is an excerpt from the article:
....[T]he [Apple] Health Records feature...together with Cleveland Clinic's version of the Epic MyChart app, offers patients more comprehensive mobile access to their own health data and a way to manage appointments, message their physicians and more, officials said....Synced together and updated in tandem, the MyChart and Health Records apps will let iPhone users access their personal health information – allergies, conditions, immunizations, labs, medications, procedures, vitals – and organize it alongside health data from other providers. They'll also be view upcoming and past appointments, physician notes and details about hospital admissions. They can schedule appointments, request medication renewals and preventive care procedures and message their providers as well. The apps will enable patients to "track important health factors, such as weight or cholesterol or blood sugar, to determine their own personal trends over time," added Dr. Amy Merlino, Cleveland Clinic's chief medical information officer.....Cleveland Clinic was not among the initial 39 health systems to first launch the Apple Health Records service, but it's little surprise that the innovation leader has been quick to embrace the technology. The health system has a long history of developing apps for its patients, and it has made patient engagement and experience a centerpiece of its mission.
This article answered a question that was in my mind by noting that the Cleveland Clinic Health Records app was synced with its Epic MyChart app to provide patients with various type of data including lab test results, medications, immunizations, and physician notes. The article also notes that the Cleveland Clinic was not one of the first health systems announced as launching the Apple Health Records service but now seems to have surged ahead of other hospitals. I also found it interesting that this article about the Cleveland Clinic makes no mention of the term "patient portal" although I would have expected to appear. Perhaps it's going out of fashion with the new types of patient access being announced including the use of iPhones.
I have seen various reports that some large percentage of patients have not been taking advantage of their patient portals, particularly those who are older (see, for example: Patient Portal Adoption for Older Adult Patients Reaches 50%). This experience may reflect lower computer literacy among older healthcare consumers. However, this news above about access to Health Records/MyChart via iPhones is encouraging. Patient adoption of apps for health data access will be a combination of factors such as the functionality off the app, ease of use, patient education programs, and computer literacy. I personally use the MyChart app frequently and the ability to make appointments, get prescription renewals, and to review prior test results has saved me hours of wasted time on a yearly basis. This story can only keep getting better.
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