Int J Med Inform. 2025 Dec 23;208:106232. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2025.106232. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The Patient Summary (PS), a standardized subset of the electronic health record is designed to provide essential patient information for use in emergencies, unplanned care, and cross-border healthcare. While its technical development has progressed across Europe, little is known about real-world PS adoption and physician perceptions at the national level. This study explores the awareness, usage, and perceived barriers to the PS adoption among Czech physicians.
METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to all registered physicians in the Czech Republic between February and March 2025. The questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, PS usage patterns, perceived benefits and barriers, and alignment with clinical practice. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon rank-sum, Kruskal-Wallis) were used to examine differences by years of experience and medical specialty.
RESULTS: A total of 1,739 responses were received (response rate: 4.14 %). Most respondents (66.4 %) reported not using the PS at all, and 72.1 % were unaware that their electronic medical record could be connected to the National Contact Point for eHealth. Only 1.7 % reported a current connection. There was no significant difference in PS use by years of clinical experience (P = 0.391), but a significant difference was observed across specialties (P < 0.001), with the highest usage reported in intensive care medicine and internal medicine.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Despite recognized benefits, PS usage remains low in the Czech Republic, largely due to limited awareness and system integration. Targeted policy measures, improved communication, and enhanced digital training are needed to support effective adoption.
PMID:41443122 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2025.106232