Family Practice News
Jan 15, 2000
by Christine Kilgore
Family physicians and other doctors are starting to put their patients' records on the Internet in a move that some predict will boost quality of care and patient satisfaction.
These doctors argue that Web-based records are portable--accessible anywhere, anytime, even in an emergency--and become more accurate and complete as patients log in to review them.
"We want our patients to be engaged and highly informed and our histories to be excellent. Internet-based records empower the patient," said Dr. James L. Holly, a family physician and managing partner of Southeast Texas Medical Associates, a six-physician group in Beaumont.
Like other physicians embracing the Internet for record keeping, Dr. Holly believes that patients can make valuable contributions by correcting and adding to medical and social histories as well as to lists of allergies and medications.
This month Dr. Holly and his partners plan to put their patients' records online except for any sensitive information such as HIV test results. Patients with access to the Web and a password will be able to check their records and do other things such as request referrals and prescription refills.
At least a half-dozen companies are marketing Internet-based electronic medical records (EMR) services to physicians. MicroMed, the Horsham, Pa.--based company that Dr. Holly and his partners selected, reports that it has 200 clients for its Internet-enabled EMR.
Elixis, another vendor that is based in Seattle, says that it has sold its Internet-based EMR to 750 groups and clinics. Other companies report steadily increasing sales.
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