Consumers Reveal Personal Health Records (PHRs) Are Barely on Their Radar; Health Industry Insights' Report Finds Consumers Seek Control Over Medical Info.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- A survey of 1,095 consumers, conducted by IDC's Health Industry Insights research and advisory services firm, reveals the majority of respondents (83%) have never used personal health records (PHRs) in either electronic or paper form. The primary reason for not using a PHR, according to the survey results, is lack of awareness. Fifty-two percent (52%) of respondents indicate they are simply unaware of the concept, with nearly one in five (18%) noting they would consider using PHRs if recommended by a physician. When asked of their plans for future use of a PHR, consumers are decidedly ambivalent, with 82% "uncertain;" another 8% stating "never."

"Consumers' access to their personal health data, whether supplied by their health plans or healthcare providers, is an important step to helping them make better care decisions," says Marc Holland, Program Director of Healthcare Provider Research at Health Industry Insights and author of the report. "PHR software is high-potential market, but, for it to truly flourish, the industry needs to do a better job of educating consumers about what these products are and how they can be used to improve the quality of the healthcare services they receive. PHRs also have to become easier to create and maintain."

Of the small percentage (17%) of respondents who do use PHRs, a significant majority (90%) use either paper-based PHRs or common PC tools, such as a word processor, rather than specific PHR products. Adds Holland, "What's intriguing here is that respondents of this survey are found to be generally computer literate and frequent users of the Internet. Yet, even the few who use PHRs overwhelmingly rely on paper or generic PC software." Consumers who do use PHRs cite their health history (42%), a physician's recommendation (21%), and a health plan's recommendation (11%) as the top three reasons.

Consumers Seek Control

Additional survey findings suggest consumers like to be in control of the sharing of their medical information. When it comes to health plans sharing their medical data, more than half of respondents (57%) prefer to "opt-in" (where information is not shared, unless the consumer chooses to allow it), whereas 26% prefer to "opt-out" (where medical information is automatically shared, unless the consumer says otherwise).

Moreover, respondents with direct experience in using PHRs indicate a preferred level of control in sharing certain data. The information consumers do not want to record (or have recorded by a third party) in their PHRs includes sensitive lab results (25%), treatment for mental health issues (25%) and treatment for substance abuse (16%).

These findings, and more, are covered in Holland's report, entitled Electronic Personal Health Records: A Survey of Consumer Attitudes and Usage (Doc # HI201461), the third in a series of consumer surveys published by Health Industry Insights in 2006. To view additional survey findings, go to http://www.idc.com/downloads/HIIConsumersurveyePHRs_Q&A.pdf.

NOTE TO EDITOR: Any data reported from this survey must be sourced as originating from "Health Industry Insights, an IDC company."

About Health Industry Insights, an IDC company

Health Industry Insights, an IDC company, provides health industry executives with research-based advisory and consulting services that enable healthcare and life science executives to maximize the business value of their technology investments minimize technology risk through accurate planning; benchmark themselves against industry peers; adopt industry best practices for business/technology alignment; make more informed technology decisions; and drive technology-enabled business innovation. Health Industry Insights provides full coverage of the health industry value chain and closely follows the payer, provider and life science segments, with special emphasis on developing and employing strategies that leverage IT investments to maximize organizational performance. Staffed by senior analysts with significant technology experience in the health care industry, Health Industry Insights provides a portfolio of offerings that are relevant to both IT and business needs. Visit www.healthindustry-insights.com for more information.