The public health need for patient-reported measures and health behaviors in electronic health records: a policy statement of the Society of Behavioral Medicine
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: IS A PROBLEMThe HITECH Act and the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act place new emphasis on the widespread and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs).While we welcome this emphasis and its likely attendant advances in patient care and clinical health research, there is a significant problem: Currently, EHRs fail to capture data reflecting crucial social and behavioral determinants of health. EHRS MUST CAPTURE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL DATAEHRs now capture such measures as weight, blood pressure, and health history, and results from tests and procedures.These measures help healthcare providers make informed diagnoses and treatment decisions, which, in turn, can produce desirable health outcomes.That being said, studies show socioeconomic status, anxiety, depression, and such health habits as tobacco and alcohol use, diet, and physical activity, often play an equal or greater role in determining health outcomes.Cancer, heart disease, obesity, HIV, and diabetes are among the serious chronic diseases inextricably linked to behavior.EHRs represent a valuable opportunity to capture standardized, patient-reported behavioral and social data and outcomes from hundreds of millions of patient encounters.
Authors: Russ Glasgow, Karen M Emmons
Institutions: Kaiser Permanente, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Health Information Management
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2081547192