Electronic Health record

Electronic health records (EHRs) are an important tool that could improve safety, quality and continuity of care. They could also help to make health care systems more efficient and more responsive to patients’ needs. At the same time, the storage of sensitive health information in an electronic form opens a new risk scenario and poses many challenges that need to be addressed.

For EHRs to be used and accepted it is necessary to: 

• Inform consumers about the benefits and the shortcomings of the EHR;
• Make a benefit/risk and cost/benefit analysis based on sound and independent evidence before further deploying EHR systems;
• Ensure the transparency of EHR systems in terms of content and functioning;
• Develop EHR systems with, for and around patients;
• Educate consumers and train healthcare professionals.