Electronic health record use among cancer patients: Insights from the Health Information National Trends Survey

Over 90% of US hospitals provide patients with access to e-copy of their health records, but the utilization of electronic health records by the US consumers remains low. Guided by the comprehensive information-seeking model, this study used data from the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey 4 (Cycle 4) and examined the factors that explain the level of electronic health record use by cancer patients. Consistent with the model, individual information-seeking factors and perceptions of security and utility were associated with the frequency of electronic health record access. Specifically, higher income, prior online information seeking, interest in accessing health information online, and normative beliefs were predictive of electronic health record access. Conversely, poorer general health status and lack of health care provider encouragement to use electronic health records were associated with lower utilization rates. The current findings provide theory-based evidence that contributes to the understanding of the explanatory factors of electronic health record use and suggest future directions for research and practice.