Consumers Say Privacy of Health Information Is Important, But Understand Need for Healthcare Research.

Business Editors, Health/Medical Writers

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 8, 2000

Fully 68% of Southeast Michigan consumers are very concerned that their personal health information might be shared inappropriately beyond their doctor or health insurance plan, according to results of a telephone survey conducted by The MEDSTAT Group in October of 1999. Thirteen percent has a fair level of concern about misuse of their personal health information and 19 percent is only slightly or not at all concerned about it.

These findings add fuel to the fire surrounding the national debate about the privacy and vulnerability of personal health records. To protect consumers from inappropriate use of their medical records, in late 1999 the White House released proposed government regulations to safeguard personal health data. The regulations, which allow use of personal health data for legitimate purposes, are currently under review and are scheduled to take effect later in 2000.

While health information experts disagree about how restricted the legitimate use of these data should be, the survey results show that 65 percent of Southeast Michigan consumers support the release of their health information for research on the causes and treatments of diseases. And nearly 74 percent supports its release for research that would evaluate the quality of care delivered by health plans and healthcare providers.

&uot;Consumers are clearly concerned about the potential for misuse of their personal health information,&uot; said Dennis J. Becker, senior vice president at MEDSTAT. &uot;But they are willing to let that information be used if it furthers their agenda to obtain reliable information about the quality of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare organizations for use in decision making.&uot;

Results of the study also highlight the importance to consumers of better access to their own medical records. Eighty-three percent of survey respondents said that better access to their personal medical records is extremely or very important to them. Eleven percent said better access was fairly important and only 6 percent said better access was just slightly or not at all important.

The telephone survey was conducted in October of 1999. Survey respondents included employed and unemployed consumers in the seven-county Southeast Michigan area with private or publicly funded health insurance, as well as uninsured individuals. Results represent responses from 600 individuals and have a margin of error no more than 4.5%.

The MEDSTAT Group (www.medstat.com) is a healthcare information company that helps its clients manage the cost, quality, and strategic positioning of health services and benefits. MEDSTAT has the longest and most successful track record in the industry, providing databases, software applications, consulting, and research services to clients for almost two decades. Its nearly 1,000 clients include some of the nation's largest corporations, health plans and insurance companies, providers, pharmaceutical companies, and federal and state government agencies. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, The MEDSTAT Group is part of The Thomson Corporation.