EHR Interoperability, Patient Data Access Key to Precision Medicine

While the majority of medical treatments are geared to the average patient, precision medicine aims to cater to the individual and connect each patient with personalized treatment. However, EHRs are currently incapable of providing this type of customized care, and further optimization and increased interoperability are needed to achieve this type of care.

While EHR systems can store massive amounts of patient data, it was the ONC final interoperability rule that granted unhindered patient data access and the ability for patients to conduct their own medical research. This full access to patient data could enhance the chances of precision medicine and data research.

Although health IT and genomic testing are continuously making strides, policies, procedures, and further optimizations are still necessary for precision medicine to be integrated into the EHR.