USB-based Personal Health Records: an analysis of features and functionality

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Medical Device Technology
• Consumer Health

Background:

• Personal Health Records (PHRs) are crucial for patient engagement and data management.
• USB-based PHRs offer portable health data storage but vary in functionality.
• Evaluating commercial PHR devices against established standards is essential for informed consumer choice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the features and data completeness of commercially available USB-based PHRs.
• To compare the capabilities of current USB PHRs with recommendations from certification bodies.
• To analyze the marketing strategies employed by USB PHR vendors.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive analysis of thirteen USB-based PHR devices was conducted.
• Evaluated devices based on the inclusion of seven key clinical data elements.
• Assessed eight critical features, including data export, import, and security.
• Examined marketing materials for common tactics.

Main Results:

• Most USB PHRs included most of the seven essential clinical data elements.
• No single USB PHR device offered all eight assessed features; two devices offered seven.
• Marketing for most PHR devices utilized scare tactics.
• Significant deficiencies were noted in the analyzed USB-based PHRs.

Conclusions:

• Commercially available USB-based PHRs currently exhibit notable deficiencies in features and data completeness.
• Tethered or web-based PHR solutions may represent superior alternatives for consumers at this time.
• Further development is needed to align USB PHRs with healthcare standards and user needs.