The number of consumers using personal health record (PHR) functionalities has jumped from 8 million Americans in 2008 to 31 million by 2013, according to findings published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

This consumer willingness to use the tool is being impeded, however, by several barriers and the low bar set by Meaningful Use requirements, according to the authors, led by Eric W. Ford, PhD, of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkins University.

PHRs "offer a tremendous opportunity to generate consumer support in pursing the triple aim of reducing costs, increasing access and improving care quality," they wrote. "Moreover, surveys in the United States indicate that consumers want Web-based access to their medical records. However, concerns that consumers' low health information literacy levels and physicians' resistance to sharing notes will limit PHRs' utility to a relatively small portion of the population have reduced both the product innovation and policy initiatives."

The authors indicate that MU could be slowing PHR innovation because vendors could be delivering just the minimum PHR functionalities. Stage 2 requires that only 5 percent of patients communicate with providers.

"The PHR products available as of 2014 are likely to meet and exceed Meaningful Use Stage 3 targets before 2020 without any incentive. Therefore, more ambitious uptake and functionality availability should be incorporated into future goals."