Record privacy concerns Americans

Americans remain concerned about the privacy of their medical records, according to the results of a new study released by the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF).

Sixty-eight percent of the 1,849 people surveyed by Lake Research Partners between December 18, 2009, and January 15, 2010, said they were "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned" about the privacy of their health information. That percentage remains relatively unchanged from a 2005 CHCF national consumer survey in which 67 percent of respondents reported the same level of concern. Many of those recently surveyed expressed concern that employers, health insurance plans, and others could use their health information; 42 percent said they would not be comfortable if their information were shared, and an additional 25 percent said they weren't sure whether they would be comfortable.

One-third said those concerns might make them consider hiding some information from their healthcare providers, and an additional 15 percent said that such worries would cause them not to tell their doctors something.