62.8% of Americans have no idea where their medical data is stored

A recent research study carried out by ScalaMed, a patient centered prescription system, has shone a spotlight on the US's need for a patient-centred approach to medication management, and an urgent need to resolve issues currently faced by the country’s healthcare system.

The study, which included 800 patients, uncovered a number of key issues patients face when it comes to managing their prescribed medication, while also highlighting how little they know about where their medical records are stored and who has access to their data.

ScalaMed can play an integral part in the resolution of such issues, beginning by promoting a patient-centric approach.

“ScalaMed puts the patient at the centre of their medicine management plan by creating a single source of truth about an individual’s prescriptions,” says Founder Tal Rapke MD, a physician with 20 years’ experience in healthcare.

“The system, works similarly to a digital wallet, allowing patients to receive and carry their prescriptions with them on their smartphone at all times. It is a safe, secure and mobile prescription system that streamlines the process of managing your medication.”

Key findings of the study

• The majority of respondents have no knowledge as to where their medical data is stored and who has access to it.
• They take prescribed medications regularly, but have at times been confused about which medicine to take and how much. A small percentage of respondents even required hospital care as a result of a dosage error.
• They often have more than one doctor in their life prescribing medicines, a small percentage have more than three.
• Respondents overwhelmingly agreed they should own their health data and believe one of the US's health system’s key issues is that it doesn’t focus enough on the patient.
• Waiting periods and access to relevant services and care was also noted as a key issue.
• Poignantly, the majority of respondents agreed that the US Government shows no sign of having any plans in place to help manage or resolve these issues.

In numbers

• More than a third of respondents often can’t remember the names and dosages of their medicines, while almost half have at times forgotten the names of their medicines all together. Waiting periods, access to appropriate healthcare, access to their pharmacy and forgetting to renew prescriptions were also noted as issues when it comes to sticking to their medication plan.
• 43 per cent of respondents said they’d be interested in an app to help manage their prescriptions on their phone, adding that a digital reminder would be most useful.
• That said, more than half of respondents shared concerns around data security and hacking issues should their prescription records be stored in one central location (supporting a ScalaMed approach, which secures these records)
• Most alarming was the fact that 62.8 per cent of respondents said they didn’t know where all their medical data/information is stored, while more than 90 per cent said they didn’t know if the software their doctor uses to record their medical information sells their data on for a profit.
• Almost half of respondents called for a more patient-centric approach to healthcare, adding that they often feel sidelined in the management of their medical records, and almost 80 per cent said they should own their own health data.
• Of the issues highlighted, 85% of respondents said they don’t believe the government has a plan to resolve or manage it.

ScalaMed can play an integral role in the resolution of such issues.

By empowering patients with their prescriptions and data - ensuring 24/7 access, lost, forgotten or expired prescriptions become a thing of the past. ScalaMed's technology, ensures no third party can access or hack data without permission, and patients are more likely to be in full control of their medication thanks to automatic reminders about when to take it, when one needs a new prescription. In addition, with mobile access, patients can shop for value and convenience at a pharmacy of their choice.

 Doctors can also view a patient’s entire medication record, allowing them to make more informed decisions about their patients’ health, and streamline medication reconciliation. Pharmacists can also see what other medications a patient is taking, preventing the risk of any harmful side effects. What’s more, if you have multiple treating doctors, they can work together on your medicine management plan, saving you hassle and uncertainty.

ScalaMed not only streamlines the process of managing medications, it puts the patient at the centre and creates a single source of truth about an individual’s prescriptions.

 “This is a huge step in the direction of personalised healthcare and personalised medicine,” Rapke says. “We know that patients are the only ones who can take control of their health, so why not empower them to do that?”