When athenahealth teamed up with b.well earlier this year, they built on existing ideas. Sam Lambson, athenahealth’s VP of product, explained that the new system allows patients to share their health data easily using a QR code. This setup is a significant step forward from the past, where patients often carried stacks of paper to appointments.
In the past, sharing health information was clunky. Patients would upload documents to portals or bring physical files to their healthcare providers. With the new system, patients can gather all their information, even from different apps, in one spot. This data is then transformed into a QR code that clinicians can scan, making the process swift and organized.
Lambson highlighted that this QR code system is much more efficient than the old paper method. “It’s like bringing a bag of papers, but we can do so much more with that information now,” he said.
Launched as part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Health Tech Ecosystem, this collaboration aims to improve patient experiences by fostering better data sharing. Lambson pointed out that this initiative is about showcasing how far healthcare technology can go. With Medicare patients often consulting multiple doctors, efficient access to data is crucial.
However, Lambson noted that there’s still work to do, especially as more consumer-facing apps and AI tools become common in healthcare.
While many see the CMS Health Tech Ecosystem as a positive development, some worry about the potential for a widening digital divide. Not everyone has equal access to technology, and those without smartphones could be left behind. Yet, research shows that smartphone usage is high, with 91% of Americans owning one, including 78% of adults over 65, a demographic often seen as hesitant to adopt new technology.
Lambson acknowledged these concerns but shifted focus. He argued that the real divide exists between healthcare providers, particularly between advanced centers and long-term care facilities. These facilities often lack the same access to health technologies due to missed opportunities in the digital transition spurred by the HITECH Act in 2009, which helped many other healthcare organizations adopt EHR systems.
This gap can leave patients confused when navigating different care settings. If they enjoy a seamless digital experience with their primary care provider but then encounter outdated technology at a skilled nursing facility, it can lead to frustration.
Despite these challenges, Lambson remains optimistic. He believes this initiative represents just the beginning of empowering patients to control their health information. Overcoming barriers to data accessibility is essential for creating a better future in healthcare.
For more on the intersection of health tech and patient engagement, you can explore Pew Research’s findings on smartphone usage here.
