According to a study recently published in the Annals of Family Medicine, patients who utilize  interactive PHR (personal health record) applications are much more apt to seek preventive care than those without implementing the PHR options.

A 16-month clinical study at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Cancer Prevention and Control Program  involving 4,500 patients at eight primary care practices  were either assigned to a control group or one that had access to interactive programs. In the interactive group, patients were supplied with links to the preventive services’ educational materials as well as a list of screenings and vaccinations.

Study Findings included:

  • 25% of patients who used the interactive PHRs were up-to-date on their preventive care, up from less than 14% when the study began; and
  • Less than 13% of patients who received ventolin no prescription buy standard care were up-to-date on their preventive care, up from 11% when the study began.
  •  only 17% of the 2,250 patients who had access to an interactive PHR chose to use the tool.

Lead researcher Alex Krist said ” that patients were invited by mail to create an interactive PHR and that promoting the PHR tool in a doctor’s office might have spurred greater participation”

Have you developed a PHR system either through your insurance company, Microsoft HealthVault or on your computer to download onto a flash drive with a medical alert bracelet?

If you need to know the categories and questions to answer for personalization of your record, you can get this on “Power To The Patient: The Medical Strategist” through Amazon.com or http://www.PowerToThePatientBook.com

Get your copy now!