CHCF: PHR usage low, but higher among the wealthy
Americans who have access to their health information through personal health records (PHRs) report that they know more about their health, ask more questions and take better care of themselves than when their medical information was less accessible to them in paper records, according to a survey from the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF).
However, of the 1,849 people surveyed, only about 7 percent said they have used a PHR. This figure is more than double the proportion identified two years ago in separate research.
The survey, which was conducted by Lake Research Partners for the Oakland, Calif.-based CHCF between Dec. 18, 2009, and Jan. 15, 2010, found that the largest group of PHR users of those surveyed was in the “$75,000+ household Income” group (13 percent).
“Although higher income individuals are most likely to have used a PHR, lower-income adults, those with chronic conditions and those without a college degree are more likely to experience positive effects of having their information accessible online,” the authors wrote.
Geographically, the West leads the nation in its early adoption of PHRs: 11 percent across 10 states have used a PHR--double the proportion of those in other regions. Furthermore, 15 percent of Californians have used a PHR. (California was not included in the West group.)
PHRs were most useful when used, according to 64 percent of respondents, to make sure information was correct. Fifty-seven percent said a PHR was useful for looking at test results and 52 percent stated that it helped them renew prescriptions online.
According to the survey, doctors may hold the key to increasing acceptance of PHRs. The survey found that respondents who said their doctor uses an EHR were more likely to want a PHR. They were also more interested in devices and applications than people whose doctor does not have an EHR, CHCF added.
More than half of adults are interested in using online applications to track health-related factors and almost half are interested in medical devices that can be connected to the internet, the survey found. Of those who do not have a PHR, 40 percent expressed interest in using one.
A majority of adults expressed discomfort (42 percent) or uncertainty (25 percent) with their health information being shared with other organizations--even if identifying information such as name, address and other personal information were not included. About 15 percent of adults said they would hide something from their doctor if they knew their information would be shared, and another 33 percent said they would consider hiding information.
Still, two-thirds of those surveyed said privacy concerns should not stand in the way of learning how technology can help improve healthcare and 86 percent said that their doctor does not have too much information on them on the computer.
According to the survey, users said that secure, password-protected PHRs give them the confidence they need to access their personal information online, and when they do, they pay more attention to their health. One in three PHR users said they used the PHR to take a specific action to improve their health. Significantly, such benefits are most pronounced among populations that have been difficult for healthcare providers to engage: patients with multiple chronic conditions, less education and lower incomes, CHCF stated.
"The reasons to use health IT are consistent with the frustrations that people experience with the healthcare system," the survey concluded. "Patients want to improve communication among their providers and spend more quality time with their doctor."
However, of the 1,849 people surveyed, only about 7 percent said they have used a PHR. This figure is more than double the proportion identified two years ago in separate research.
The survey, which was conducted by Lake Research Partners for the Oakland, Calif.-based CHCF between Dec. 18, 2009, and Jan. 15, 2010, found that the largest group of PHR users of those surveyed was in the “$75,000+ household Income” group (13 percent).
“Although higher income individuals are most likely to have used a PHR, lower-income adults, those with chronic conditions and those without a college degree are more likely to experience positive effects of having their information accessible online,” the authors wrote.
Geographically, the West leads the nation in its early adoption of PHRs: 11 percent across 10 states have used a PHR--double the proportion of those in other regions. Furthermore, 15 percent of Californians have used a PHR. (California was not included in the West group.)
PHRs were most useful when used, according to 64 percent of respondents, to make sure information was correct. Fifty-seven percent said a PHR was useful for looking at test results and 52 percent stated that it helped them renew prescriptions online.
According to the survey, doctors may hold the key to increasing acceptance of PHRs. The survey found that respondents who said their doctor uses an EHR were more likely to want a PHR. They were also more interested in devices and applications than people whose doctor does not have an EHR, CHCF added.
More than half of adults are interested in using online applications to track health-related factors and almost half are interested in medical devices that can be connected to the internet, the survey found. Of those who do not have a PHR, 40 percent expressed interest in using one.
A majority of adults expressed discomfort (42 percent) or uncertainty (25 percent) with their health information being shared with other organizations--even if identifying information such as name, address and other personal information were not included. About 15 percent of adults said they would hide something from their doctor if they knew their information would be shared, and another 33 percent said they would consider hiding information.
Still, two-thirds of those surveyed said privacy concerns should not stand in the way of learning how technology can help improve healthcare and 86 percent said that their doctor does not have too much information on them on the computer.
According to the survey, users said that secure, password-protected PHRs give them the confidence they need to access their personal information online, and when they do, they pay more attention to their health. One in three PHR users said they used the PHR to take a specific action to improve their health. Significantly, such benefits are most pronounced among populations that have been difficult for healthcare providers to engage: patients with multiple chronic conditions, less education and lower incomes, CHCF stated.
"The reasons to use health IT are consistent with the frustrations that people experience with the healthcare system," the survey concluded. "Patients want to improve communication among their providers and spend more quality time with their doctor."