Ethical Issues and the Electronic Health Record.

Health Care Manag (Frederick)

Reprinted from Layman EJ. Ethical issues and the electronic health record. Health Care Manag. 2008;27(2):165-176. doi:10.1097/01.HCM.0000285044.19666.a8. Author Affiliations: Department of Health Services and Information Management, College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University, Greenville, New North Carolina.

Published: July 2021

AI Article Synopsis

  • Electronic health records (EHRs) present ethical conflicts, particularly regarding beneficence, autonomy, fidelity, and justice in health care.
  • Despite intended benefits like improved access and lower costs, research shows inconsistent results, particularly for disadvantaged populations.
  • Ethical concerns arise when patient data is shared without consent, leading to breaches of trust and unequal access based on socioeconomic factors.

Article Abstract

Ethical issues related to electronic health records (EHRs) confront health personnel. Electronic health records create conflict among several ethical principals. Electronic health records may represent beneficence because they are alleged to increase access to health care, improve the quality of care and health, and decrease costs. Research, however, has not consistently demonstrated access for disadvantaged persons, the accuracy of EHRs, their positive effects on productivity, nor decreased costs. Should beneficence be universally acknowledged, conflicts exist with other ethical principles. Autonomy is jeopardized when patients' health data are shared or linked without the patients' knowledge. Fidelity is breached by the exposure of thousands of patients' health data through mistakes or theft. Lack of confidence in the security of health data may induce patients to conceal sensitive information. As a consequence, their treatment may be compromised. Justice is breached when persons, because of their socioeconomic class or age, do not have equal access to health information resources and public health services. Health personnel, leaders, and policy makers should discuss the ethical implications of EHRs before the occurrence of conflicts among the ethical principles. Recommendations to guide health personnel, leaders, and policy makers are provided.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/HCM.0000000000000302DOI Listing

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