A small but growing body of research offers information about the extent to which patients are using portals, what their demographics are, and which features they are using. There is little data that links the use of portals with health care quality, long-term outcomes, or provider efficiency.

A national survey looks at the use of and attitudes toward personal health records (PHRs) and other health IT. The findings indicate that users of PHRs say they become more engaged in their health as a result of being able to access their medical information online.

The application of new tools for sharing medical data must keep in sight the personal privacy rights of patients. To help clarify the issues surrounding health privacy, CHCF cofunded a series of reports by the Center for Democracy and Technology.

Surveys suggest that three out of four patients want some sort of online connection with their medical providers. This report examines how patient-oriented HIT is evolving by looking at clinical settings in five regions, including California.

This publication explores the technological and legal landscape governing personal health information, as well as key issues that must be addressed for consumers to have an appropriate level of control over their own health records.

The Breast Care Center at UCSF designed an application build a customized care plan for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Such patient-centered PHRs may remind a patient to take medications, provide tailored decision prompts to help people understand and adhere to treatment regimens, or transmit data to providers.

This issue brief examines employer initiatives to adopt personal health records (PHRs) as a tool to cut costs and improve efficiency. It explores the pros and cons of PHRs and offers a road map for adoption.