Personal Health Records
Summary
Recently, both Google and Microsoft launched personal health record (PHR) products. Most respondents believe that the biggest barrier to the adoption of PHRs is a concern about the privacy and security of the data contained within these records. And, while most respondents believe that this data would be most effective if integrated with an electronic medical record to have maximum value, the overwhelming majority of respondents believe that the patient should own the data in a PHR. At present, about one-third of respondents indicated that they access a PHR.
Biggest Barrier to Use of PHR
Nearly half of respondents have agreed that the biggest barrier that they face to the use of a personal health record is a concern that their information will be private and secure. Another quarter of respondents indicated that they believe their clinician’s lack of support for the use of electronic records is a barrier to the use of PHRs.
Access a PHR
About one-third of respondents indicated that they access a personal health record.
Owner of PHR Data
Respondents were asked to identify who should be the owner of the data that is captured in a PHR. Nearly all respondents indicated that they, the patient, should be the owner of this data.
Integration of PHRs with Electronic Medical Record
Three-quarters of respondents believe that PHRs need to be integrated with an electronic medical record in order to have value in patient treatment.
Impact of Microsoft and Google’s Entry into PHR Market
About half of respondents believe that Microsoft and Google’s entry into the PHR market will accelerate the adoption of PHR technology and another third believe that this will have minimal impact on adoption.
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