A feasibility study on sharing system for electronic patients’ records between medical institutions in Korea

Abstract

 This study focuses on the feasibility of the sharing system for electronic patients’ records(EPRs) between medical institutions in Korea. The sharing system purposes to provide the patients with the better health care by using the technology of information and telecommunication. The study covers the analysis of current and prospective hospital information systems and the attitude-demand survey of patients and medical personnel to communicating patients’ information. While the current computerization status of medical institutions is pretty low, but their prospect is high enough. In addition, few tertiary hospitals already established the network of hospitals and clinics, and were communicating their EPRs. The sharing system was socially accepted by patients and medical personnel, and also economically justified. Therefore, the sharing system approach is judged to be feasible. However, the essential prerequisites need to be solved before the main steps of establishing the system. This system will provide the patients healthcare services of better quality, the researchers and government officers evidence-based knowledge and statistics, and will ultimately contribute to the reduced healthcare expenditure in Korea.