Despite EHR growth, Australian doctors resist letting patients see records.

• Position: EHR - Electronic health records - Brief article

The use of electronic health records (EHRs) in Australia grew 62% from 2011 to 2012--and the initial results have been encouraging. According to a survey by Accenture, 83% of Australian doctors are actively using electronic medical records (EMRs) and roughly 70% reported improved quality of diagnostic and treatment decisions as a result of sharing the EMRs. Indeed, most (77%) Australian doctors believe sharing health records electronically helped reduce medical errors in 2012.

Australia's personally controlled electronic health record (PCEHR) scheme has had a slow start despite support by government and prominent healthcare CIOs. When it comes to providing patients control over their personal EHRs, Australian doctors are more resistant than doctors in other countries. Fewer than one-quarter of Australian doctors believe patients should have full access to their records; 65% believe patients should have limited access; and 16% say they should have no access. Australia ranked second...