As a part of our continued focus on Electronic format of medical records and allied healthcare technology, this article dwells into the ‘patient facing advantages and limitations of this mechanism. The rapid growth in innovation and technology has spurred development of mobile medical applications and several computationally powerful and user-friendly mobile platforms. With that emerged the patient-centered healthcare, an e-health model that contributes towards preventive medical care.

Different Approaches:

With the emerging trend of Tele-health, patient care practices have undergone a massive change. Tele-health enables clinicians and hospitals access patient data at the point of care and on a real-time basis. Focused towards improvement of quality of patient care, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has already proposed changes in Policy and Payment structures starting from January 2012 for outpatient care both in Hospitals and Ambulatory Surgical Centers. The incentive program for “meaningful use” of Electronic Health Records (EHR) is also expected to strengthen the quality of outpatient care for a long time to come.

Control of cost of care alongside promotion of patient-centered healthcare constitutes the prime areas of focus within the healthcare industry. Success of the patient-centered approach depends on the ability of patients, their families and healthcare workers to receive and understand information about healthcare services for the purpose of making right decisions. Patients focused social networks constitute another platform for easy exchange of information. Interestingly, The European Heart Journal has recently come out with the results of a study jointly conducted by the Center for Person-Centered Care (GPCC) and theUniversityofGothenburgatSweden. The study argued that a good rapport between the patient and healthcare professionals contributed towards reduction of hospital stay by about one-third.

The Change Revolution:

The approach of healthcare providers towards care has remarkably transformed with the introduction of evidence based medical practices. Today, wide sharing of primary care practices take place between consultants and hospitals through inter-linked electronic medical records. Insurance providers have started paying attention to patient satisfaction and undertake many programs to enhance patient experience. Efforts are underway towards training physicians within the fields of effective communication of information and empathetic care. This enables the patients to either accept or reject particular medications and diagnostic explorations purely based on evidence – a marked change that was not visible until a few years ago.

The Model for the Future:

An era of patient-centered medical homes has just emerged. The study by the GPCC and the University of Gothenburg is one of the largest controlled studies which is expected to be the first step towards a drastic change, where evidence-based care will be combined with patients’ experience and knowledge of their condition. Effectively, the process of care would slowly turn into a well-coordinated, improved and team based medical home. We perceive it as one of the most successful and balanced model clubbing the aspects of enhanced quality of patient care and reduction of costs in the most optimal way possible. This calls for using the right ink for drawing the map. That will instill public trust which forms the basis of success of any plan of public interest.