Charity Clemens & Tabatha Peterson Department of Nursing and Allied Health Health Informatics and Information Management

Missouri Western State University

Introduction
Background: Personal Health Records, or PHRs, are tools that a patient can use to collect, track, and share past and also current information about their health.

Discussion Research Question

What Is the Relationship between the Demographics (primarily age) of a Patient and the Likelihood of Them Using A Personal Health Record?
Further research needs to be conducted in this area to find out how the older population of health consumers would react to being educated about PHRs. Another question posed by our results is:

Significance of the problem: Only a very small number of patients utilize PHRs for various reasons. The healthcare industry needs to find reasons as to why PHRs arent being utilized so that they may begin to target how to change this and promote their value once again.

Results
1%

What is your age?

1% 16%

Literature Review
Only approximately 10% of patients across this nation currently use a PHR and consequently, they have been considered by most to be a flop. (Cerrato, 2012) Personal Health Records yield many benefits to the patients that use them (NCVHS, 2006): Support for preventative care Improved accuracy of health information, earlier diagnoses Improved understanding of health issues Support of timely and appropriate services Strengthened communication between patient and providers Manage insurance benefits and claims Avoid duplicate tests Increased access to providers via e-visits Health alerts and reminders
13% 12%

8%

Are you familiar with what a Personal Health Record (PHR) is and how they are used? I dont know what a
PHR is

If the majority of the respondents are comfortable with technology, computers, I internet access; Then why do they not know about PHRs and their value when it comes to taking charge of their health?
Limitations: Over half of the respondents (54%) either currently work in the medical field or have in the past.

49%

18 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 54 55 to 64 65 to 74 75 or older

11% 22% 16%

I have heard of a PHR but I am not really sure what it is or how it is used I am familiar with them and have seen them being used I am very familiar with them and have used one I work with them daily in my profession so I know what they are and how they are used

13% 38%

The majority of respondents were in an age category that we expected them to be openminded to PHR use. We would like to hear from some elderly patients on this matter.

Does your physician welcome the use of your PHR? Response Response Answer Options Percent Count 3.7% 3 No Yes, believes it is a valuable asset 21.0% 17 to my care Unsure; My physician has never 75.3% 61 mentioned what one is answered question 81

skipped question

Do you use a PHR for your healthcare? Response Response Answer Options Percent Count 69.1% 56 Never 13.6% 11 Every once in awhile 17.3% 14 On a routine basis answered question 81 skipped question 7

Conclusion
This study concluded that physicians simply need to educate their patients about PHRs and encourage them to put them to good use.

Methods
Study Design: Non-experimental, correlational study We used a stratified sample with 7 age groups ranging from 18 to 75 and over. Survey Monkey was used to generate an electronic tool.

Other findings:

7% were relatively uncomfortable with computer use; 95% navigate the internet on a daily basis 80% answered that they would be interested in obtaining a PHR if their physicians offered one and could help them set it up.

A good portion of PHR concern has been about whether or not patients are receiving the information/education they need to maintain one. And what we can see here is that patients are lacking the knowledge needed to participate in their own health upkeep.