Final answer:
Patient medical records were historically stored on paper, later transitioning to electronic storage to improve healthcare quality and reduce costs while considering privacy concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), patient medical records were stored on paper. With the advancement of technology, storing digital records electronically has become a method proposed to improve the quality and reduce the cost of health care. However, the privacy of electronic health records is a significant concern that needs careful policy development to balance the costs of treatments and diagnoses, the patient's quality of life, and the risks to individual privacy.