The role of personal health records in the myHealth portal : the perspective of adult patients

Abstract

Background: Through accessing the government’s myHealth portal, one can access a selection of one’s personal health data and other features related to one’s health. This includes access to hospital discharge reports, laboratory test results, medical image reports, vaccination records, previous and pending clinic appointments, entitlement to medicines and others. There is an abundance of health-related data currently in circulation that is not being utilised to its maximum potential, such as lifestyle data collected by wearable devices. Aims: To assess myHealth usage and opinions on the use of Personal Health Records among consenting adult patients who use myHealth. Methods: A study through sampling of 5000 users who had accessed the service at least once and had registered a contact email address was carried out; users who were doctors were excluded. A mixed methods approach was taken, with both qualitative and quantitative data being collected and utilised. Results: A total of 624 users completed the survey; once medical practitioners (6) and gender ‘other’ (1) respondents were removed from the sample, this was reduced to 617. Overall, the service makes health data more accessible and has positive effects on users. Findings indicate that they are keen for myHealth to expand its functionality as well as its contents, and users are keen to contribute to this process. There was a plethora of suggestions for service enhancement. Conclusions: End users of myHealth are ready for the next step which would be for the service to evolve into a comprehensive online ‘one-stop shop’ with respect to health; this will require policy and management decisions.