Electronic health records and US public health: Current realities and future promise

D.J. Friedman, R.G. Parrish and D.A. Ross

American Journal of Public Health, 2013, vol. 103, issue 9, 1560-1567

Abstract: Electronic health records (EHRs) could contribute to improving population health in the United States. Realizing this potential will require understanding what EHRs can realistically offer to efforts to improve population health, the requirements for obtaining useful information from EHRs, and a plan for addressing these requirements. Potential contributions of EHRs to improving population health include better understanding of the level and distribution of disease, function, and well-being within populations. Requirements are improved population coverage of EHRs, standardized EHR content and reporting methods, and adequate legal authority for using EHRs, particularly for population health. A collaborative national effort to address the most pressing prerequisites for and barriers to the use of EHRs for improving population health is needed to realize the EHR's potential.

Keywords: article; electronic medical record; forecasting; health care policy; health insurance; health status; human; organization and management; public health; United States, Electronic Health Records; Forecasting; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; Health Policy; Health Status; Humans; Public Health; United States (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301220_4

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301220

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