Final answer:
To improve healthcare access and quality, sharing digital records among providers improves efficiency and reduces costs, but must address privacy concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
To improve access and quality of health services in the information age, sharing digital records among health care providers is key. This allows for more integrated and efficient patient care, ultimately reducing costs. However, it also raises concerns regarding the privacy of electronic health records. Therefore, when developing policies, we must consider: How do we balance the financial costs of treatments with patient outcomes? What measures will ensure patient quality of life without compromising privacy? Moreover, how will risks to individual privacy be mitigated while still promoting efficient healthcare delivery?
Internationally, some systems have achieved lower healthcare costs and more equal access but often at the expense of quick service delivery and cutting-edge treatments. In contrast, the U.S. system offers high-quality care and innovation but struggles with high costs and inclusivity. Effective health education and literacy are necessary to empower individuals with information for better health choices, and diverse, culturally specific research can help reduce health disparities.