Many New Yorkers Worry Their Medical Records Aren’t Easy to Access

When you go to the doctor, you expect them to have your medical history at their fingertips, but a new report says many patients aren't confident that's actually true. Researchers found that 97% of patients say it's important for healthcare providers to have access to their medical history. However, about one-third of people aren't sure their records can be accessed beyond the last three years.

Missing Records Can Cause Real Problems

For some patients, problems accessing medical records has become very frustrating. The report found that 20% of patients had long wait times because of paperwork issues or delays in getting their records.

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Another 16% said they have found errors in their medical charts. Even more concerning, about one in six people said they have delayed getting medical care because accessing their records was too difficult.

Patients Want Better Privacy Protection

More than half of patients said they are only somewhat satisfied with how their healthcare data is protected. 17% said they are dissatisfied with the privacy and security of their medical information. That's becoming a bigger issue as hospitals, doctor's offices, and healthcare systems continue to face cyberattacks and data breaches.

Finding the Right Balance

Patients want doctors to have access to important medical information when needed, but they also want that information protected from hackers and unauthorized users. Nobody wants to fill out the same forms over and over, wait for records to be transferred, or worry that medical information could be missing. As healthcare becomes more digital, patients are hoping the system can become easier to access and be more secure at the same time.