Identifying Barriers to Access of Electronic Medical Records by Minority Patients and Caregivers

Closeup of a person using a digital tablet.
Approximately one-third of patients in each treatment group experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety during treatment.
Researchers report on awareness and access to health information technology by minority patients and caregivers, as well as their interest in learning more about and using EMRs.
The following article features coverage from the American Society of Hematology 2019 Annual Meeting. Click here to read more of Oncology Nurse Advisor‘s conference coverage.

Researchers analyzed patterns of usage of health information technology (HIT) by minority patients and caregivers at 2 Mayo Clinic campuses in Florida, with findings presented at the 61st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition, held in Orlando, Florida.

Overall, the researchers found that utilization of HIT was relatively low among minority patients and caregivers, but that there was interest in HIT among these patients.

This study was based on a 21-question survey about attitudes and awareness of electronic medical records (EMRs) among patients who had lymphoid malignancies and their caregivers.

Among participants, 71% (n=716) identified as white, and 27% (n=271) identified as having minority status. Computer access was available to 84% of minority participants and 92% of white participants (P <.001). Smartphone access was available to 85% of minority participants and 89% of white participants (P =.08).

Awareness of the availability of EMR access was higher among white participants (92%) than among minority participants (81%; P <.001). EMR registration had been completed by 51% of minority participants and 72% of white participants (P <.001). Among those registered for EMR access, slightly more minority participants than white participants had not used EMR services.

Interest in knowing how to access EMR services was higher among minority participants (43%) than among white participants (36%; P =.04). Compared with white participants, a higher percentage of minority participants reported being more likely to use EMRs if they received training in their use (P =.002) and explanations of test results (P <.001).

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The researchers concluded that efforts should be undertaken to address barriers to EMR access experienced by minority patients.

Disclosure: Multiple authors declared affiliations with industry. Please refer to the original abstract for a full list of disclosures.

Reference

Ailawadhi S, Ailawadhi M, Bodepudi S, et al. Disparities and their impact on the adoption of health information technology (HIT) in minority cancer patients and caregivers. Oral presentation at: 61st ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition; December 7-10, 2019; Orlando, FL. Abstract 411.