Perceptions of Chinese medicine information sharing in electronic health record sharing system (eHRSS) for patients: a mixed-method study

Abstract Purpose The Stage Two Development of eHRSS intends to expand the breadth of shareable data and increase technical capabilities for sharing Chinese Medicine (CM) information. This study aims to investigate patients' perceptions, perceived benefits and difficulties toward the adoption of EC Connect and eHRSS. Methods All patients who are eHRSS users or non-eHRSS users were recruited. Several logistic regression models were conducted with descriptive analysis including age, gender, socioeconomic status, and past medical history. In-depth interviews were conducted among Healthcare Recipients (HCRs) of eHRSS whose information about Chinese Medicine is shared to eHRSS. Results A total of 884 respondents were analysable in this study. Older age (50–64, compared to 18–29, aOR = 3.02, 95% CI = 1.48–6.17, p = 0.002), participation in eHRSS (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.17–3.27, p = 0.011) and usage of eHealth app (aOR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.19–2.95, p = 0.007) were associated with a higher level of acceptability on the expansion of eHRSS sharing scope to CM. In study 2, users agreed that CM information sharing to eHRSS improved patient management while knowledge of CM information exchange was insufficient. The respondents were supportive towards the expansion of sharing scope which could enhance the intention in joining eHRSS. Conclusions We found that patients' western medical records should be reviewed to deliver better patient care. For future development of eHRSS in CM, it was important to increase propaganda among the general population and to improve consistency between Western and Chinese medical systems.