Factors associated with patient trust in electronic health records used in primary care settings

• Adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) remains limited.
• Most existing studies focused on health care providers׳ attitudes toward EHRs.
• It is growingly important to assess patients׳ perspective in health policy making.
• This study investigates patient attitudes toward EHRs.
• The study yields suggestions for promoting EHR adoption from a patient perspective.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify factors associated with patient trust in electronic health records (EHRs) used in primary care.MethodA cross-sectional study conducted at five primary care clinics in the Midwestern United States gathered patients׳ post-visit responses to a validated written survey questionnaire consisting of close-ended questions.ResultsA total of 142 patients responded to the survey. Of the survey respondents, 87.3% reported a positive trust attitude toward EHRs used in their primary care. Bivariate logistic regression analyses found that patient trust in EHRs was associated with the patient having complete trust in the physician, patient perception of characteristics of EHRs, and patient perception of how the physician used the technology.ConclusionsThis study found a generally positive patient attitude toward EHRs used in primary care. The study findings indicate that it is important to provide increased health informatics training to health care providers.