Transfer of Information from Personal Health Records: A Survey of Veterans Using My HealtheVet

Abstract

Although veterans are transferring important medical information from their personal health records, increased education and awareness are needed to increase use. Personal health records have the potential to improve continuity of care. However, more research is needed on both the barriers to adoption as well as the actual impact on patient health outcomes and well-being.

Medication acquisition across systems of care and patient–provider communication among older veterans

“…30 In a separate analysis, 30% of respondents reported entering information about their medications into MyHealtheVet, 18% reported sharing that information with a VA provider, and nearly 10% reported sharing it with a non-VA provider. 31 Some specific system features warrant mention. Using MyHealtheVet, veterans can download portable copies of their health information, including prescription information, to share with VA and non-VA providers.…”

Lack of Diversity in Personal Health Record Evaluations with Older Adult Participants: A Systematic Review of Literature

“…These publications evaluated a Blue Button feature – a US federal initiative that allows consumers to download their medical information,20 a PHR tool to support consumer medication reconciliation21 and the information sharing features of an existing PHR 22 Table 1. displays the publication features, and the demographics of the PHRs were evaluated in each publication.…”

“…In these studies, 82% of their participants had used the Internet to search for health information, 90.91% of the participants reported using a computer at least 1 h per week,26 and at least 70% of participants used the PHR that was being evaluated at least one time per month 22…”

A Decade of Veteran Voices: Examining Patient Portal Enhancements Through the Lens of User-Centered Design (Preprint)

“…With this direct Veteran input on desired functional design, requirements were prospectively aligned with user preferences. Data were also collected to assess patient preferences for delegating access to health information, [41] use of My HealtheVet to transfer information, [42] how Veterans with non-VA providers use the Blue Button feature to share information with their non-VA providers, [43] and the Veteran experience with access to their clinical progress notes.…”