Attitudes towards using electronic health records of patients with psoriasis and dermatologists: a cross-sectional study

Background: Electronic health records (EHRs) ofer various advantages for healthcare delivery, especially for chronic
and complex diseases such as psoriasis. However, both patients’ and physicians’ acceptability is required for EHRs to
unfold their full potential. Therefore, this study compares patients’ and physicians’ attitudes towards using EHRs in
routine psoriasis care.
Methods: For the purpose of this study, a questionnaire was developed based on literature research and analyses
of previously conducted focus groups. Participants completed either a paper-based or an electronic version of the
questionnaire. Patient recruitment took place at an dermatological outpatient clinic and via several online pathways
(patient associations, and social media). Physicians were recruited via a mailing list of a dermatological association and
at a dermatological conference. Patients’ and physicians’ responses were compared using χ
2
tests and Fisher’s exact
tests.
Results: The study consisted of 187 patients and 44 dermatologists. Patients compared to physicians rated almost all
potential EHR uses as signifcantly more important and expected signifcantly more potential benefts from EHRs.
Conclusions: Patients showed positive expectations towards using EHRs, whereas there was more scepticism in the
physician sample. This aligns with previous fndings. These diferences illustrate the necessity to involve all stakeholders, especially patients and physicians, into the process of developing and implementing EHRs.