Patient Perceptions of Pre-Implementation of Personal Health Records (PHRs): A Qualitative Study of People Living With HIV in New York City

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe patient perceptions of two different electronic personal health records for patients living with HIV/AIDS in New York City. Seven focus groups were conducted with a total of 54 patient participants. Focus group participants anticipated benefits including increased patient responsibility, health awareness, efficiency, security, and provider benefits (e.g., time savings). Concerns and barriers related to password recall, computer access, and computer literacy. Future research efforts are needed to further delineate the personal health records features and functions necessary to meet the complex health care, social service, and self-management needs of low-income populations of patients living with HIV/AIDS, design effective strategies to overcome barriers to personal health records use, and evaluate the impact of personal health records use on patient empowerment, shared decision making, and HIV-related patient outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• continuity of care document
• HIV/AIDS
• patient perceptions
• personal health record

Acknowledgments

Support for this research was provided by grants H97HA08481 (Tim Kanter, Principal Investigator) and H97HA08483 (Peter Gordon, Principal Investigator) from the Health Services and Resources Administration.