Association between Having a Regular Health Provider and Access to Services Linked to Electronic Health Records

A regular care provider is an important measure of access to health services, but little is known about the association between having a regular provider and patients' access to services associated with electronic health records (EHR). Furthermore, the composition of the additional electronic services made available to patients is not well studied.

We analyzed the most recent data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS5-Cycle1, 2017, n = 3,285). We estimated a weighted multivariable logistic regression model to assess the association between having a regular provider (65.3%) and access to EHR (29%). Control variables were selected based on Andersen's Behavioral Model.

In the adjusted model, participants with a regular provider had significantly greater access to an EHR (aOR 2.91, p < .001) compared to participants without a regular provider. Participants were more likely to have access to an EHR if they were females (aOR 1.56, p < .01), had a tablet computer (aOR 1.55, p < .05), smartphone (aOR 2.27, p < .01), a former smoker (aOR 1.67, p < .05) or had two or more chronic medical conditions (aOR 1.79, p < .01).

Individuals who have a regular provider are roughly three times as likely to have access to services linked to an EHR. Access to an EHR enhances both potential and realized access to many healthcare services.

The availability of a regular care provider impacts the "digital divide." The expansion of electronic health services intensifies the importance of a regular care provider.