Whereas in the past, medical records were almost entirely contained in standard ink and paper format, US legislation enacted in 1996 (HIPAA) primarily to protect patient records had the secondary effect of encouraging medical practices to begin implementation of EMR (electronic medical records) software. These programs enable doctors and hospitals to rapidly move information across multiple locations-an office convenience that can also be life-saving, as emergency rooms and physicians in the field have access to accurate, up-to-date electronic medical records for patients who can't speak for themselves.

An unforeseen benefit of the EMR software industry, which emerged as a means to help physicians deal with new federal regulations, has been patient empowerment. Patients are now able to download medical records onto flash drives that go with them wherever they go-giving them more choice in selecting a medical care provider. No longer are patients required to physically move records from one practice to the other when changing doctors; no longer do patients who wish to see a new doctor have to wait on the new practice to acquire their old records. And no longer do practices have to spend time waiting on a patient's old doctor to fax over records.

EMR software has revolutionized virtually every industry attached to medicine. A growing trend in medical and insurance practices is directly related to patient convenience: rather than a hard drive, patients can utilize online medical records. Many offices now host secure websites on which patients can view their records, charts, notes, or test results-even reminders about when to schedule things (like cholesterol tests or immunizations).

Patients love it, because it gives them quick access to things that once required a phone call or office visit. Doctors love it, because a well-informed patient who takes advantage of their physican's EMR practices is easier to provide care for.