Latest study on patients using PHR systems

Researchers from the University of Central Florida in Orlando surveyed 562 patients. They hypothesized that age, income and education levels influenced a patient’s willingness to use a PHR, but it turned out that those made no differences in who would, or wouldn’t, be willing to access one.

Alice Noblin, PhD, assistant professor and program director in the Health Informatics and Information Management Program at the University of Central Florida, said the findings surprised her.

For Howard Zahalsky, MD, an internist in Arlington, Va., it’s the healthy patients who are actively interested in staying healthy, and patients with chronic conditions who are most likely to use a PHR.

Numerous studies have placed PHR use at about 7%, a number that has remained consistent in recent years. A 2010 study by the California Healthcare Foundation found that although only 7% of patients were using a PHR, more than 50% said they would be likely to use one if a physician recommended it.