Patients are pushing physicians for more online access to their medical records and to the doctors' practices, and they're starting to get their way, according to a new survey of patients and providers by the research and consulting firm Accenture. More than a third of U.S. consumers say that their current medical providers allow them online access. Capabilities offered include prescription refill requests (48%), access to medical records (43%), appointment requests (43%), e-mail with providers (36%), and electronic reminders (36%). Depending on the item, between 28% and 40% of doctors say these electronic services are available to patients, Accenture reported.
