Excerpt: Surveys suggest that three out of four patients would like to have some sort of electronic connection with their medical provider, such as the ability to make an appointment via the Web, view lab test results, or email their doctor. However, a significant disparity remains between what patients want to do online and what they are able or allowed to do. To better understand the role of patient-centered health information technology (PCHIT) in clinical care, the authors of this report examined five types of medical practice settings in California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and the District of Columbia; interviewed physicians, patients, and others; and reviewed the relevant literature. They also looked at PCHIT from a regional perspective to learn about recent developments.

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