These are some of the findings of a recent Accenture health-care survey, in which 2,468 respondents in urban households across SA were asked to rate the quality of their health-care experiences, the obstacles they face in accessing medical attention and medication, and their attitudes towards paper-based and electronic health records. The sample is claimed to be representative of 92 percent of the urban adult population and 58 percent of the total adult population.

'What the findings show is that the SA public wants and is ready for EHRs,' says Dr. Roze Phillips, an Accenture senior manager. 'By far the majority of respondents, 63 percent, feel that EHRs would improve the quality of health care in this country.'

Commenting on respondents' willingness to carry the cost of having their records electronically maintained, she says almost 50 percent of those on medical aid are willing to pay for this. Among this group, 19 percent are prepared to pay as much as R100 per month -- over and above their existing medical aid contributions -- while 29 percent are willing to pay between R20 and R80 per month.

'Interestingly, it is not necessarily the highest income groups who would be the most willing to pay for EHRs,' says Phillips. 'In fact, higher income groups are less likely to want to pay for this service, while the mid-income groups, LSM 5 and 6, are the most likely.'

The survey also found support for EHRs across all race and age groups, with younger respondents being especially likely to recognize the value of EHRs. 'This is probably due to a higher level of comfort and acceptance of computers,' says Phillips, pointing out that 72 percent of respondents aged 16 to 24 are in favor of EHRs, compared to 56 percent of those over 50.