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A Comic of RBCs and Other EHR TMI
1Graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a bachelor's degree in fine arts.
AMA Journal of Ethics
|November 3, 2025
Summary
Accessible electronic health records (EHRs) are crucial for equitable healthcare, but many individuals with disabilities face access barriers. This study highlights the need for clearer obligations for EHR developers and clinicians to ensure universal access.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Disability Studies
- Bioethics
Background:
- Electronic health records (EHRs) offer significant benefits for patient access to health information.
- However, current EHR systems present accessibility challenges for individuals with various disabilities.
- This disparity perpetuates health inequities and raises ethical and legal concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the accessibility of electronic health records for people with disabilities.
- To argue for enhanced legal and ethical frameworks to ensure equitable EHR access.
- To identify the need for clearer obligations for EHR developers and healthcare providers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing federal laws and regulations concerning EHR accessibility.
- Analysis of the ethical and legal implications of inaccessible EHRs.
- Argumentative approach based on current evidence of access disparities.
Main Results:
- Existing federal protections for accessible EHRs are insufficient to address the needs of all individuals with disabilities.
- Significant barriers to EHR access persist for people with disabilities.
- Current legal and ethical frameworks fall short in mandating comprehensive accessibility.
Conclusions:
- More specific and clearly defined obligations are required for both electronic health record developers and clinicians.
- Ensuring equitable access to EHRs is an ethical imperative.
- Policy and practice changes are needed to overcome current accessibility gaps.
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