Implementing an Interoperable Personal Health Record in Pediatrics: Lessons Learned at an Academic Children's Hospital.

Abstract

This paper describes the development of an innovative health information technology creating a bidirectional link between the electronic medical record (EMR) of an academic children's hospital and a commercially available, interoperable personal health record (PHR). The goal of the PHR project has been to empower pediatric patients and their families to play a more active role in understanding, accessing, maintaining, and sharing their personal health information to ultimately improve health outcomes. The most notable challenges proved more operational and cultural than technological. Our experience demonstrates that an interoperable PHR is technically and culturally achievable at a pediatric academic medical center. Recognizing the complex social, cultural, and organizational contexts of these systems is important for overcoming barriers to a successful implementation.