In the UK we’ve had over $20 billion spent on modernising clinical records but patients are still opting out because it is difficult for the average patient to see benefits for themselves. In its current presentation EHR’s are predominantly tools designed to help care providers and billing systems to manage patients. Patient participation isn’t their role.

IMHO the key to EHR success is (as you say) patient-centered, participatory health care and this requires anytime/anywhere secure access using a connected already carried device. Cellphones are placed uniquely to connect care and EHR’s – but it’s a chicken and egg situation where the success of one is reliant on the other.

The EMR component, therefore, is necessary and important, it’s just not revolutionary. It only sets the stage. Things begin to get interesting when the innovation on the edges — through mHealth — comes into the market.

Wes is focused on the business, pure and simple. How will it be profitable and, therefore, adopted in the mainstream and something businesses should pay attention to. You lean more towards the patient perspective, how will it make an impact for the end user not just the system. I.e. is it trickle down change or grassroots consumer demand? I’d like to see a happy medium so the whole is realized more quickly and we can get down to the work of making a real difference ASAP.