Report Outlines Details in Using Mobile Devices To Access Health Data

An application that allows individuals with mobile communication devices to access their personal health records could alter the way health care providers, consumers and payers use health IT, according to an issue brief from the consulting firm Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, Cardiovascular Business reports.

The brief stated that using mobile devices to access PHRs — known as “mPHRs” — will give users the opportunity to receive reminders on:

• Medication administration;
• Medical bills; and
• Other health-related tips (Cardiovascular Business, 8/30).

Research

According to data cited from other sources, the brief noted that:

• Twice as many Generation X and Y consumers want access to PHRs than do baby boomers and elderly individuals;
• 50% of consumers want a personal monitoring device to help them manage a condition or provide them with health tips; and
• About 57% of consumers want access to an online PHR linked to their physician’s office (Monegain, Healthcare IT News, 8/27).

Barriers to Use

The brief found four major barriers to widespread use of mPHRs:

• A lack of widely accepted technical standards among PHRs and electronic health records;
• Low consumer demand for PHR data, stemming from low general use of PHRs;
• Privacy concerns; and
• Concerns involving liability and data integrity of PHRs.

Strategies To Increase Use

According to the brief, mPHRs could become a top self-care management platform if:

• More health care providers adopt EHRs;
• Regulators provide greater clarity for health IT standards;
• Privacy protections and health care provider liability grow in effectiveness; and
• Mobile communication devices grow in capacity and functionality while decreasing in cost (Cardiovascular Business, 8/30).

Source: iHealthBeat