Personal electronic healthcare records: What influences consumers to engage with their clinical data online? A literature review

Background: Online electronic records such as patient portals and personally controlled electronic health records (PEHRs) have been widely viewed as a key component to modernising the delivery of healthcare but the uptake of such systems has been slow. Objective: The purpose of this literature review was to determine what influences consumers to engage and interact with their clinical data online. Method: A scoping literature review following PRISMA guidelines was completed. Electronic patient record research published between January 2009 and December 2018 was included. Following screening and full-text reviews, a total of 64 records were included in this review. Results: Three key areas of influence on consumer engagement with their clinical data online emerged: demographic factors affecting consumer interaction with PEHRs; consumers' perceived benefits and detriments of PEHR use; and the influence of PEHR use on consumer empowerment and responsibility. Discussion: Consumer motivation and readiness for engaging with their clinical data online and their long-term ongoing use of these systems requires further exploration. Conclusion: As worldwide rates of consumer interactions with individual online clinical data remain low, what influences consumer engagement with a PEHR remains unknown. Further research into the consumer perspective of, and interaction with, a PEHR, needs to be undertaken to determine if factors such as frequent usage of the system by consumers leads to improved clinical outcomes.

Automated summary

This literature review explores the factors influencing consumers' engagement and interaction with their clinical data online. The study reveals that demographic factors, perceived benefits and detriments of using personal electronic health records (PEHRs), and the influence of PEHR use on consumer empowerment and responsibility are key areas influencing consumer engagement.