A new issue brief from Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., describes the role that electronic, easily portable personal health records can play in reducing health disparities. The brief also looks at barriers to PHR adoption for underserved individuals and the implications of widespread use of PHRs.
PHRs differ from provider-maintained clinical electronic health records in that the patient owns the PHR and controls access to it; both providers and patients can enter information into a PHR.
Mathematica’s brief notes that most Americans are unaware of the PHR concept; furthermore, low-income elderly individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups are even less likely than other groups to have heard of a PHR. The study suggests that three primary barriers have limited the diffusion of this technological advance to underserved population groups: the digital divide, low health literacy, and cultural differences.
“Designers and organizations sponsoring the development of PHRs may have to invest in a variety of outreach efforts to overcome consumer mistrust before PHRs are widely accepted,” said Lorenzo Moreno, a senior researcher at Mathematica and the study director.
