Anne C. Zieger

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR). That's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider, while 51% used one provided by their health insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR. Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR). That's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider, while 51% used one provided by their health insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR. Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR). That's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider, while 51% used one provided by their health insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR. Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) said they used a personal health record (PHR). That's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, said Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their health insurer. While PHR users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) said they used a personal health record (PHR). That's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, said Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their health insurer. While PHR users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) said they used a personal health record (PHR). That's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, said Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their health insurer. While PHR users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

WASHINGTON — Building on the strength of its extensive electronic medical record system, Kaiser Permanente's personal health record has streamlined many daily functions for its physicians and members.

The personal health record (PHR), called My Health Manager, has attracted 3 million Kaiser members to register at KP.org

The PHR effort is closely tied to Kaiser's electronic medical record, HealthConnect, which serves all of its 431 clinics and 35 medical centers.

“Adding the PHR ended up being part of our EMR culture change,” Jan Oldenburg, senior practice leader with the Kaiser Permanente Internet Services Group, said at a conference sponsored by the American Medical Association and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

At the outset of the PHR program, some Kaiser physicians were afraid that patients wouldn't cooperate, or that they might get too involved in managing their health data.

For example, Ms. Oldenburg said, some physicians argued that their older, sicker patients would never log on. Others feared that if patients were presented with abnormal lab results, their call volume would go through the roof.

However, Kaiser studies have concluded that neither calls nor e-mails to physicians have increased since My Health Manager was rolled out, Ms. Oldenburg said, adding that more than 40% of Kaiser's Medicare population have become active PHR users.

Indeed, the PHR has actually helped physicians run their practices more effectively, according to Ms. Oldenburg. “There have been studies which show reductions in office visits,” as well as an improvement in the overall health of the PHR-using population.

My Health Manager is particularly popular with some subsets of Kaiser members, Ms. Oldenburg said, noting that 48% of registered PHR users are 40-64 years old and another 30% are 24-39 years old.

Between 2005 and 2009, the number of patient sign-ins has shot up from 5 million to 51.6 million, Ms. Oldenburg said.

WASHINGTON — Building on the strength of its extensive electronic medical record system, Kaiser Permanente's personal health record has streamlined many daily functions for its physicians and members.

The personal health record (PHR), called My Health Manager, has attracted 3 million Kaiser members to register at KP.org

The PHR effort is closely tied to Kaiser's electronic medical record, HealthConnect, which serves all of its 431 clinics and 35 medical centers.

“Adding the PHR ended up being part of our EMR culture change,” Jan Oldenburg, senior practice leader with the Kaiser Permanente Internet Services Group, said at a conference sponsored by the American Medical Association and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

At the outset of the PHR program, some Kaiser physicians were afraid that patients wouldn't cooperate, or that they might get too involved in managing their health data.

For example, Ms. Oldenburg said, some physicians argued that their older, sicker patients would never log on. Others feared that if patients were presented with abnormal lab results, their call volume would go through the roof.

However, Kaiser studies have concluded that neither calls nor e-mails to physicians have increased since My Health Manager was rolled out, Ms. Oldenburg said, adding that more than 40% of Kaiser's Medicare population have become active PHR users.

Indeed, the PHR has actually helped physicians run their practices more effectively, according to Ms. Oldenburg. “There have been studies which show reductions in office visits,” as well as an improvement in the overall health of the PHR-using population.

My Health Manager is particularly popular with some subsets of Kaiser members, Ms. Oldenburg said, noting that 48% of registered PHR users are 40-64 years old and another 30% are 24-39 years old.

Between 2005 and 2009, the number of patient sign-ins has shot up from 5 million to 51.6 million, Ms. Oldenburg said.

WASHINGTON — Building on the strength of its extensive electronic medical record system, Kaiser Permanente's personal health record has streamlined many daily functions for its physicians and members.

The personal health record (PHR), called My Health Manager, has attracted 3 million Kaiser members to register at KP.org

The PHR effort is closely tied to Kaiser's electronic medical record, HealthConnect, which serves all of its 431 clinics and 35 medical centers.

“Adding the PHR ended up being part of our EMR culture change,” Jan Oldenburg, senior practice leader with the Kaiser Permanente Internet Services Group, said at a conference sponsored by the American Medical Association and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

At the outset of the PHR program, some Kaiser physicians were afraid that patients wouldn't cooperate, or that they might get too involved in managing their health data.

For example, Ms. Oldenburg said, some physicians argued that their older, sicker patients would never log on. Others feared that if patients were presented with abnormal lab results, their call volume would go through the roof.

However, Kaiser studies have concluded that neither calls nor e-mails to physicians have increased since My Health Manager was rolled out, Ms. Oldenburg said, adding that more than 40% of Kaiser's Medicare population have become active PHR users.

Indeed, the PHR has actually helped physicians run their practices more effectively, according to Ms. Oldenburg. “There have been studies which show reductions in office visits,” as well as an improvement in the overall health of the PHR-using population.

My Health Manager is particularly popular with some subsets of Kaiser members, Ms. Oldenburg said, noting that 48% of registered PHR users are 40-64 years old and another 30% are 24-39 years old.

Between 2005 and 2009, the number of patient sign-ins has shot up from 5 million to 51.6 million, Ms. Oldenburg said.

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR), or 1 in 14 Americans.

That's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their health insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked.

Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR.

Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente.

Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

Physicians and patients do experience a “learning curve” when they first use the Kaiser PHR, Dr. Christensen noted. However, the overall experience appears to offer a net benefit, she said.

“When you get there you find that your practice has changed, but that it's at a new level of productivity.”

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR), or 1 in 14 Americans.

That's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their health insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked.

Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR.

Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente.

Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

Physicians and patients do experience a “learning curve” when they first use the Kaiser PHR, Dr. Christensen noted. However, the overall experience appears to offer a net benefit, she said.

“When you get there you find that your practice has changed, but that it's at a new level of productivity.”

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR), or 1 in 14 Americans.

That's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their health insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked.

Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR.

Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente.

Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

Physicians and patients do experience a “learning curve” when they first use the Kaiser PHR, Dr. Christensen noted. However, the overall experience appears to offer a net benefit, she said.

“When you get there you find that your practice has changed, but that it's at a new level of productivity.”

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

Only about 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR). But that's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR. Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

Only about 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR). But that's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR. Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients.

Only about 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR). But that's more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don't need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR. Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients released April 12.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR), or 1 in 14 Americans. That’s more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don’t need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their health insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR. Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

Physicians and patients do experience a “learning curve” when they first use the Kaiser PHR, Dr. Christensen noted. However, the overall experience appears to offer a net benefit, she said. “When you get there you find that your practice has changed, but that it’s at a new level of productivity.”

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients released April 12.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR), or 1 in 14 Americans. That’s more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don’t need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their health insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR. Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

Physicians and patients do experience a “learning curve” when they first use the Kaiser PHR, Dr. Christensen noted. However, the overall experience appears to offer a net benefit, she said. “When you get there you find that your practice has changed, but that it’s at a new level of productivity.”

While the use of personal health records is gaining popularity, still only 1 in 14 Americans report having used one, according to a survey of 1,849 patients released April 12.

About 7% of respondents to the survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation said they used a personal health record (PHR), or 1 in 14 Americans. That’s more than double the 2.7% who reported using PHRs in a 2008 study conducted by the Markle Foundation.

Among the reasons cited by those who do not use a PHR were concern over the data privacy, the perception that they don’t need such a tool, and fears that PHRs might cost too much or take up too much time, according to Sam Karp, vice president of programs for CHCF.

Of those who reported PHR use, 26% reported using one sponsored by their health care provider while 51% reported using one provided by their health insurer.

While PHRs users tend to be young, highly educated white men with relatively high incomes, patients with chronic illnesses and those with lower-than-average income and educations were more likely to report benefiting from using a PHR, according to the survey results.

For example, 55% of respondents without a college degree reported that after using a PHR, they asked their provider questions they otherwise would not have asked. Also, 58% of users with incomes of less than $50,000 said that they felt more connected to their doctors as a result of using a PHR. Further, 40% of PHR-using respondents with two or more chronic conditions reported that they had taken steps to improve their health, the researchers said.

In addition to assisting patients in managing their health, PHRs can also serve as safety tools, said Dr. Kate Christensen, medical director, Internet services group for Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser, which runs a PHR serving 3 million patients, has found that patients use it to check their medical data and e-mail providers to report errors.

Physicians and patients do experience a “learning curve” when they first use the Kaiser PHR, Dr. Christensen noted. However, the overall experience appears to offer a net benefit, she said. “When you get there you find that your practice has changed, but that it’s at a new level of productivity.”

WASHINGTON – Building on the strength of its extensive electronic medical record system, Kaiser Permanente’s personal health record has streamlined many daily functions for its physicians and members.

The personal health record (PHR), called My Health Manager, has attracted 3 million Kaiser members to register at KP.org, the site hosting the PHR. Each month, patients refill more than half a million prescriptions, review 1.2 million test results, make more than 100,000 clinic appointments, and exchange approximately 800,000 secure messages with their physicians and other providers.

The PHR effort is closely tied to Kaiser’s electronic medical record, HealthConnect, which serves all of its 431 clinics and 35 medical centers.

“Adding the PHR ended up being part of our EMR culture change,” Jan Oldenburg, senior practice leader with the Kaiser Permanente Internet Services Group, said at a conference sponsored by the American Medical Association and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

At the outset of the PHR program, some Kaiser physicians were afraid that patients wouldn’t cooperate, or alternatively, that they might get too involved in managing their health data.

For example, Ms. Oldenburg said, some physicians argued that their older, sicker patients would never log on. Others feared that if patients were presented with abnormal lab results, their call volume would go through the roof.

However, Kaiser studies have concluded that neither calls nor e-mails to physicians have increased since My Health Manager was rolled out, Ms. Oldenburg said, adding that more than 40% of Kaiser’s Medicare population have become active PHR users.

Indeed, the PHR has actually helped physicians run their practices more effectively, according to Ms. Oldenburg. “There have been studies which show reductions in office visits,” as well as an improvement in the overall health of the PHR-using population.

My Health Manager is particularly popular with some subsets of Kaiser members, Ms. Oldenburg said, noting that 48% of registered PHR users are 40-64 years old and another 30% are 24-39 years old.

Still, PHR use seems to cut across a broad age range. For example, members aged 21-71 made some use of the system, such as viewing lab tests online. Users aged 51-60, meanwhile, had the highest usage rate at 23%. Kaiser data also suggests that PHR users are more likely to stay with Kaiser when given a chance to switch.

To build the base of registered PHR users, Kaiser has conducted an extensive marketing campaign using virtually every channel imaginable. “We used as many touch points as possible,” Ms. Oldenburg said. “That includes television, radio advertisements, posters in laboratories, cards physicians can hand out which explain the benefits of the PHR, and more. We pretty much put the message everywhere.”

The results have been dramatic. Between 2005 and 2009, the number of patient sign-ins has shot up from 5 million to 51.6 million, Ms. Oldenburg said.

WASHINGTON – Building on the strength of its extensive electronic medical record system, Kaiser Permanente’s personal health record has streamlined many daily functions for its physicians and members.

The personal health record (PHR), called My Health Manager, has attracted 3 million Kaiser members to register at KP.org, the site hosting the PHR. Each month, patients refill more than half a million prescriptions, review 1.2 million test results, make more than 100,000 clinic appointments, and exchange approximately 800,000 secure messages with their physicians and other providers.

The PHR effort is closely tied to Kaiser’s electronic medical record, HealthConnect, which serves all of its 431 clinics and 35 medical centers.

“Adding the PHR ended up being part of our EMR culture change,” Jan Oldenburg, senior practice leader with the Kaiser Permanente Internet Services Group, said at a conference sponsored by the American Medical Association and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

At the outset of the PHR program, some Kaiser physicians were afraid that patients wouldn’t cooperate, or alternatively, that they might get too involved in managing their health data.

For example, Ms. Oldenburg said, some physicians argued that their older, sicker patients would never log on. Others feared that if patients were presented with abnormal lab results, their call volume would go through the roof.

However, Kaiser studies have concluded that neither calls nor e-mails to physicians have increased since My Health Manager was rolled out, Ms. Oldenburg said, adding that more than 40% of Kaiser’s Medicare population have become active PHR users.

Indeed, the PHR has actually helped physicians run their practices more effectively, according to Ms. Oldenburg. “There have been studies which show reductions in office visits,” as well as an improvement in the overall health of the PHR-using population.

My Health Manager is particularly popular with some subsets of Kaiser members, Ms. Oldenburg said, noting that 48% of registered PHR users are 40-64 years old and another 30% are 24-39 years old.

Still, PHR use seems to cut across a broad age range. For example, members aged 21-71 made some use of the system, such as viewing lab tests online. Users aged 51-60, meanwhile, had the highest usage rate at 23%. Kaiser data also suggests that PHR users are more likely to stay with Kaiser when given a chance to switch.

To build the base of registered PHR users, Kaiser has conducted an extensive marketing campaign using virtually every channel imaginable. “We used as many touch points as possible,” Ms. Oldenburg said. “That includes television, radio advertisements, posters in laboratories, cards physicians can hand out which explain the benefits of the PHR, and more. We pretty much put the message everywhere.”

The results have been dramatic. Between 2005 and 2009, the number of patient sign-ins has shot up from 5 million to 51.6 million, Ms. Oldenburg said.

WASHINGTON – Building on the strength of its extensive electronic medical record system, Kaiser Permanente’s personal health record has streamlined many daily functions for its physicians and members.

The personal health record (PHR), called My Health Manager, has attracted 3 million Kaiser members to register at KP.org, the site hosting the PHR. Each month, patients refill more than half a million prescriptions, review 1.2 million test results, make more than 100,000 clinic appointments, and exchange approximately 800,000 secure messages with their physicians and other providers.

The PHR effort is closely tied to Kaiser’s electronic medical record, HealthConnect, which serves all of its 431 clinics and 35 medical centers.

“Adding the PHR ended up being part of our EMR culture change,” Jan Oldenburg, senior practice leader with the Kaiser Permanente Internet Services Group, said at a conference sponsored by the American Medical Association and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

At the outset of the PHR program, some Kaiser physicians were afraid that patients wouldn’t cooperate, or alternatively, that they might get too involved in managing their health data.

For example, Ms. Oldenburg said, some physicians argued that their older, sicker patients would never log on. Others feared that if patients were presented with abnormal lab results, their call volume would go through the roof.

However, Kaiser studies have concluded that neither calls nor e-mails to physicians have increased since My Health Manager was rolled out, Ms. Oldenburg said, adding that more than 40% of Kaiser’s Medicare population have become active PHR users.

Indeed, the PHR has actually helped physicians run their practices more effectively, according to Ms. Oldenburg. “There have been studies which show reductions in office visits,” as well as an improvement in the overall health of the PHR-using population.

My Health Manager is particularly popular with some subsets of Kaiser members, Ms. Oldenburg said, noting that 48% of registered PHR users are 40-64 years old and another 30% are 24-39 years old.

Still, PHR use seems to cut across a broad age range. For example, members aged 21-71 made some use of the system, such as viewing lab tests online. Users aged 51-60, meanwhile, had the highest usage rate at 23%. Kaiser data also suggests that PHR users are more likely to stay with Kaiser when given a chance to switch.

To build the base of registered PHR users, Kaiser has conducted an extensive marketing campaign using virtually every channel imaginable. “We used as many touch points as possible,” Ms. Oldenburg said. “That includes television, radio advertisements, posters in laboratories, cards physicians can hand out which explain the benefits of the PHR, and more. We pretty much put the message everywhere.”

The results have been dramatic. Between 2005 and 2009, the number of patient sign-ins has shot up from 5 million to 51.6 million, Ms. Oldenburg said.