62.8% of Americans Have no Idea Where their Medical Data is Stored

SYDNEY, March 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent research campaign carried out by start-up ScalaMed, a mobile prescription system, has shone a spotlight on America's need for a patient-centred approach to medication management, and an urgent need to resolve issues currently faced by the country's healthcare system.

The study, which included 800 patients, uncovered a number of key issues Americans face when it comes to managing their prescribed medication, while also highlighting how little they know about where their medical records are stored and who has access to their data.

Key findings of the survey

- The majority of respondents have no knowledge as to where their medical data is stored and who has access to it.
- They take prescribed medications regularly, but have at times been confused about which medicine to take and how much. A small percentage of respondents even required hospital care as a result of a dosage error.
- They often have more than one doctor in their life prescribing medicines, a small percentage have more than three.
- Respondents overwhelmingly agreed they should own their health data and believe one of the USA health system's key issues is that it doesn't focus enough on the patient.
- Waiting periods and access to relevant services and care was also noted as a key issue.
- Poignantly, the majority of respondents agreed that the American Government shows no sign of having any plans in place to help manage or resolve these issues.

In numbers

- More than a third of respondents often can't remember the names and dosages of their medicines, while almost half have at times forgotten the names of their medicines all together. Waiting periods, access to appropriate healthcare, access to their pharmacy and forgetting to renew prescriptions were also noted as issues when it comes to sticking to their medication plan.
- 43 per cent of respondents said they'd be interested in an app to help manage their prescriptions on their phone, adding that a digital reminder would be most useful.
- That said, more than half of respondents shared concerns around data security and hacking issues should their prescription records be stored in one central location (supporting a blockchain approach, which decentralizes these records)
- Most alarming was the fact that 62.8 per cent of respondents said they didn't know where all their medical data/information is stored, while more than 90 per cent said they didn't know if the software their doctor uses to record their medical information sells their data on for a profit.
- Almost half of respondents called for a more patient-centric approach to healthcare, adding that they often feel sidelined in the management of their medical records, and almost 80 per cent said they should own their own health data.
- Of the issues highlighted, 680 respondents said they don't believe the government has a plan to resolve or manage it.

For access to the full report and findings, more information on how ScalaMed is addressing these issues or to arrange interviews with Dr Tal Rapke, founder of ScalaMed on pharmacy innovations, managing prescriptions, medication adherence or patient care.

SOURCE ScalaMed