Electronic health records versus paper health records: advantages and disadvantages

The key difference between electronic records and paper health records is that while electronic records are availed to users electronically via a wide range of devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones; paper health records are presented in the traditional hard-copy format. In essence, both have their own downsides and the utilization of either calls for some trade-offs. To begin with, it should be noted that unlike paper health records (PHR), electronic health records (EHRs) come in handy in the further promotion of the confidentiality and safety of patient health information. This is particularly the case when deliberate measures are taken in this regard, i.e. via encryption and decryption as well as the utilization of firewalls (Kruse, Smith, Vanderlinden, and Nealand, 2017). On the other hand, PHR can easily be stolen or misplaced – effectively compromising the confidentiality of sensitive patient information/data. Secondly, in terms of ease of access and sharing, PHRs tend to be rather tedious on those two fronts (Hoffman, 2016). This is more so the case given that PHRs are maintained in a file system that effectively makes retrieval and sharing a time-consuming and imprecise undertaking. EHRs, on the other hand, can be accessed at the touch of a button and sharing of the same is incredibly easy. Essentially, sharing of the latter is largely instantaneous and could be done via a secure network to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive patient data. It is however important to note that as Hoffman (2016) observes, when it comes to cost, EHRs tend to cost more in terms of implementation and maintenance than PHRs.