What is a key benefit of implementing electronic health records (EHR)?

Implementing electronic health records (EHR) significantly enhances patient engagement by making it easier for patients to access their health information and participate in their own healthcare decisions. With EHRs, patients often have portals that allow them to view their medical records, lab results, and medication information, fostering greater transparency and communication. This access encourages patients to take a more active role in managing their health, which can lead to improved outcomes.

In addition, EHRs can facilitate communication between healthcare providers and patients, allowing for more informed discussions during appointments and enabling timely follow-up on care plans. This interactive relationship helps establish a partnership between the patient and their healthcare provider, ultimately empowering patients to stay engaged in their health management.

The other options do not reflect the benefits associated with EHR implementation. For instance, increased paper usage is contradictory to the purpose of EHRs, which aim to reduce reliance on paper records. Standard data storage does not directly relate to patient engagement, as engagement involves interactive components rather than merely storing data. Decreased accessibility of patient data runs counter to the intended purpose of EHR systems, which is to improve access rather than hinder it.