Abstract
In this paper, we present a discussion of personal health records (PHRs). The development of PHRs in the USA has occurred as a result of the Institute of Medicine's direction to improve healthcare quality and make it more patient-centred, as well as demands from patients for more control of their health data. The PHR addresses timeliness, patient safety and equity. The PHR is also integral to the US National Health Information Network (NHIN) being designed to give all Americans access to electronic health records by 2014. Despite increasing access to PHRs via employers, insurance companies, healthcare providers and independent entities, adoption and successful implementation of the PHR as well as other types of electronic records (Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Electronic Health Record (EHR)) is unclear. The specific interaction and distinction between these records is also unclear. This article differentiates the PHR from the other records, introduces the notion of ownership of medical information and presents a basic research model regarding PHR adoption and diffusion.
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