Today, the WSJ cites the results of a study by the California HealthCare Foundation on electronic medical records stating that 15% of the 1,849 adults surveyed reported concealing information from a physician if “the doctor had an electronic medical record system” that could share  information with other groups. Another 33% would “consider hiding information.”

Calling lying to doctors “practically an American tradition,” the WSJ highlights a recent survey of over 2,000 Americans by General Electric, the Cleveland Clinic and Ochsner Health System that outlined what patients mostly lie about as follows: Lack of exercise  (13%), compliance with medication instructions (9%), dietary habits (9%), drinking (7%), smoking (7%), use of illegal drugs (4%) and unprotected sex (4%).

Other interesting results of the General Electric study were the findings that:

• Most Americans give themselves ”A” or “B” grades, while doctors give Americans low grades on personal health
• Many Americans say they would rather live in pain than visit their doctor – and prioritize household chores over healthy living
• Most Americans see health of others on wrong track – but not their own
• Many Americans have an easier time answering non-health-related questions than facts about their own health

The study also revealed “opportunities for improvement in patient-doctor communication,” which is perhaps the best way to enhance patients’ trust in their physicians and their attitudes towards sharing information on- and offline.

Filed under: Culture, Technology