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Wide Spectrum Collaboration on Online Medical Records Announced

Leaders in several industries have joined forces to provide the utmost level of security and accuracy in the emerging field of online personal health records (PHRs), according to the Markle Foundation, the organizing force behind the collaboration.  According to the results of a survey conducted in May, the vast majority of American adults, almost 90%, said they welcome the idea of accessing personal medical data online but have reservations regarding privacy, accuracy, and widespread integration of data.

Internet giants such as Google, Microsoft, WebMD, Cisco Systems, and Intuit, among others, will be working with representatives from the medical community to establish specific policies and procedures that will be used as a common framework for developing applications for PHR use, access, and distribution.  Calling the collaboration Connecting for Health, Markle has enlisted the US Department of Veterans Affairs, AARP,  Consumers Union, Vanderbilt Center for Better Health, Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield Association and dozens of others to partake in the collaborative effort.

Many entities, including health insurance providers, technology companies, and large employers are developing PHR systems but are doing so individually and with differing formats and applications.  By combining forces, the Connecting for Health project expects to minimize any threats to patient privacy and incompatibility issues that might arise when different technologies are shared with multiple healthcare providers, insurance companies, and government agencies.

Based on data gleaned from its May survey of more than 1,500 American adults, the Markle Foundations says the general public believes such a system would be beneficial and attractive.  From the consumer perspective, the value of PHRs will be seen in the ability to check for errors in one’s medical records, track expenses, minimize duplication of procedures and tests, and improve communications between patient and physician.  There is also the expectation of smoother transition when healthcare providers are switched, ease in managing the health of dependents, and tailoring treatment options to better achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Survey responses indicate a mere 2.7% of those surveyed currently use PHRs but 57% expressed interest in enrolling in a PHR system if privacy issues can be addressed in satisfactory manner.  Two options survey respondents held in high favor are the possibility of an independent auditing organization to certify PHR providers and rigorous enforcement by individual state governments and the Federal Trade Commission to prevent false and misleading activities.

Survey respondents also expressed interest in having the ability to make their own choices about use of individual products or programs in order to avoid those who fail to comply with industry standards.  Because current federal privacy laws do not address PHRs, many survey respondents said they would also like to see Congress pass a new law that covers them specifically.

Source: The Markle Foundation

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