The most recent of the Health Affairs journal just went to print and one paper in the journal discusses the barriers toward personal health record (PHR) adoptions and potential solutions to some of the barriers. Not surprisingly, one potential solution suggested is accessing PHRs via mobile phone.
"It is imperative that these barriers hampering adoption of personal health records be addressed. We do not have the 'best of breed' yet, but I do believe that if we encourage nimble innovative solutions, we can achieve the ideal personal health record," wrote James S. Kahn, MD, professor of clinical medicine at UCSF's Positive Health Program at San Francisco General Hospital.
One of the key barriers highlighted was the challenge of making health record data portable for patients as they change health organizations. is a key factor limiting wider and more rapid adoption. Kahn argues that PHRs, which are controlled by patients, can empower patients and ensure they have control over their own health care, so long as those PHRs are interoperable with other systems.
"Exploring other technologies such as mobile phones as an easier entry point for consumers to access their records could play an important role as well," Kahn noted.
