Canadians value health privacy, support electronic health records: survey
Wednesday November 28, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
Canadians place top value on keeping their personal health information private and support the use of electronic health records, a survey conducted recently found.

The ‘Electronic Health Information and Privacy Survey: What Canadians Think – 2007’ was conducted by EKOS Research Associates and sponsored by Canada Health Infoway, Health Canada, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

The survey set out to examine Canadians’ expectations related to the privacy, confidentiality and security of personal health information, balanced with healthcare considerations such as use, quality, and access.

The survey explored Canadians’ perceptions of personal privacy and privacy of personal health information, awareness of laws and oversight bodies in relation to personal health information, perceptions and experiences related to electronic health information, secondary use of electronic health information and the public’s level of trust, comfort and tolerance for electronic health records.

The study found Canadians “increasingly see it as important” for healthcare providers to have easy access to patient information for the delivery of  quality healthcare.

The survey also found at least one in two Canadians is also concerned about serious mistakes in diagnoses or treatment due to incomplete, inaccurate or illegible patient information. Participants said it was crucial there be safeguards in place to protect their information, particularly when it comes to personal health information, regarded as among the most important personal information to keep protected.

Generally, participants said they had confidence in health professionals — doctors, nurses and pharmacists for instance — but their trust was slightly lower for other groups (administrators, government departments).

While Canadians value their privacy, their knowledge about privacy laws was limited, the survey found.

When it comes to electronic health records, the survey showed people who had experience with electronic health records found the experience to be positive. Close to nine in 10 Canadians (88 per cent) support the development of electronic health records, citing access to patient information and improved efficiency as the main reasons. Opposing views centred around security reasons. Overall, “EHRs are seen as increasingly superior to the paper-based system,” the survey says.

The study was based on a 20-minute telephone survey with a random sample of 2,469 Canadians, aged 16 years and older. It was conducted this past summer.

To read the survey in its entirety, visit this link