C49. Wallis, K. & Rice, R. E. (2006).
Technology and health information privacy: Consumers and the adoption
of digital medical records technology. In M. Murero & R. E. Rice
(Eds). The Internet and health care:
Theory, research and
practice (pp. 279-312). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
New technologies offering improvements to consumers’ daily lives are
subject to scrutiny regarding the technologies’ ability to maintain
information security and privacy, important values among today’s
consumers. Medical information systems that combine digital technology
with the highly personal and sensitive information contained in medical
records, are increasingly examined as to their ability to achieve their
stated medical function, while maintaining a level of privacy
consistent with the government’s medical privacy legislation. The Santa
Barbara County Care Data Exchange (SBCCDE), a major regional health
infrastructure project is in the process of implementing digital
medical records technology in Santa Barbara County, California, and is
subsequently subject to evaluation by its consumers, composed of the
general public and medical community. In preparing for the diffusion of
digital medical records technology, it is appropriate to investigate
those consumer perceptions and concerns that might determine the
success or failure of the new system. Therefore, this research
investigates, through stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and a
survey, consumer concerns, knowledge, and level of awareness regarding
several facets of individual medical records technology and privacy.
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