ASSESSING OUTPATIENTS’ ATTITUDES AND EXPECTATIONS TOWARDS ELECTRONIC PERSONAL HEALTH RECORDS (ePHR) SYSTEMS IN SECONDARY AND TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

This study is the first report of Saudi patients in the literature on electronic personal health records (ePHRs). It investigates patients’ attitudes and expectations regarding ePHRs in Saudi Arabia. It also gives insights about addressing the gap between the interest and the utilization of ePHRs by presenting information about patients’ preferences for ePHR features and activities. The findings show higher interest rates in ePHR use compared to other studies with similar sample frame in developed countries. They also indicate high levels of perceived usefulness of ePHRs on patients’ health and healthcare. More research is needed to explore the ePHR privacy concerns of patients and the key factors in improving the use of ePHRs among specific populations such as the elderly and those patients with chronic disease.