Healthc Inform Res.  2021 Apr;27(2):102-109. 10.4258/hir.2021.27.2.102.

Review of National-Level Personal Health Records in Advanced Countries

• Lee J
• Park YT
• Park YR
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2515912
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2021.27.2.102

Abstract

Objectives
This review article examines international examples of personal health records (PHRs) in advanced countries and discusses the implications of these examples for the establishment and utilization of PHRs in South Korea.
Methods
This article synthesized PHR case reports of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries, the Global Digital Health Partnership website on PHRs, and patient portals of individual countries to review the status of PHR services. The concept and significance of PHRs were also discussed with respect to PHR utilization status in European Union and OECD countries.
Results
A review of international PHR services showed that the countries shared common points regarding the establishment of Electronic Health Records and national health information infrastructure. In addition, the countries provided services centered on primary healthcare institutions and public hospitals. However, promoting more positive participation and increasing the PHR acceptance rate requires workflow integration, including Electronic Medical Records, the provision of incentives, and the preparation of a supportive legal framework.
Conclusions
South Korea is also conducting a national-level PHR project. Since the scope of PHRs is extensive and a wide range of PHR services must be connected, an extensive trial-and-error process will be necessary. A long-term strategy should be prepared, and necessary resources should be secured to establish national-level PHRs.

Keyword

Personal Health Records; Electronic Health Records; Information Technology; Republic of Korea; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Figure

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  Figure 1 Screenshots of the NHS App of the United Kingdom (England). These screenshots shown in the Apple App Store explain that patients can input their symptoms, make outpatient appointments, and renew prescriptions (https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/nhs-app/id1388411277#?platform=iphone).

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