Free Web-based personal health records: an analysis of functionality.

This paper analyzes and assesses the functionality of free Web-based PHRs as regards health information, user actions and connection with other tools. A systematic literature review in Medline, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Digital Library and ScienceDirect was used to select 19 free Web-based PHRs from the 47 PHRs identified. The results show that none of the PHRs selected met 100% of the 28 functions presented in this paper. Two free Web-based PHRs target a particular public. Around 90 % of the PHRs identified allow users throughout the world to create their own profiles without any geographical restrictions. Only half of the PHRs selected provide physicians with user actions. Few PHRs can connect with other tools. There was considerable variability in the types of data included in free Web-based PHRs. Functionality may have implications for PHR use and adoption, particularly as regards patients with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Support for standard medical document formats and protocols are required to enable data to be exchanged with other stakeholders in the health care domain. The results of our study may assist users in selecting the PHR that best fits their needs, since no significant connection exists between the number of functions of the PHRs identified and their popularity.

An analysis of free Web-based PHRs functionalities and I18n.

The growth of the Internet, Web technologies, and other electronic tools are allowing the public to become more informed and actively engaged in their health care than was possible in the past. Personal Health Records (PHR) offer users possibility of managing their own health data. Many patients are using PHRs to communicate with doctors in order to improve healthcare quality and efficiency. A large number of companies have emerged to provide consumers with the opportunity to use online PHRs within a healthcare platform, proposing different functionalities and services. This paper analyzes and assesses the functionalities and internationalization (i18n) of free Web based PHRs.