Massachusetts bullish on health IT

A new study from Massachusetts eHealth Institute has found that 96 percent of primary care practices and almost 80 percent of all healthcare providers in Massachusetts are using electronic health records. The study also found that 50 percent of consumers have used health IT to communicate directly with their healthcare provider, review test results, renew prescriptions or schedule appointments. Of the consumers surveyed, 87 percent were positive about sharing health data when they learned consent was required and 84 percent are supportive of data exchange if sent securely with providers being responsible for privacy.