An Electronic Personal Health Record for Mental Health Consumers

Because of complex health care needs and fragmentation of care, individuals with mental health disorders may benefit from the use of electronic personal health records (PHRs). PHRs can shift ownership and locus of health records, making them less likely to be scattered across multiple providers and more likely to be longitudinal and patient-centered. However, currently available PHRs typically lack mental health-related modules. 

To address this gap, investigators from Emory University adapted an existing PHR to better meet the needs of patients with serious mental illness and one or more co-morbid medical conditions. A series of focus groups with mental health consumers, mental health providers, and primary care providers were conducted to inform the adaptation. The research team conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of the modified mental health PHR (MH-PHR) on quality of care over a 12-month period. During the first 6 months of the intervention phase, a clinical care nurse helped patients access and maintain use of their MH-PHR; during the second 6 months, patients used the MH-PHR without support. A control group received education materials about health and self-management. The investigators conducted chart reviews and interviews with patients to evaluate the impact of the MH-PHR on patient self-activation and provider effectiveness in mental health management.

Results indicate that those who used the MH-PHR increased utilization of vaccinations and preventive services. In addition, the researchers found that computer training was critical in engaging individuals in the project, as even consumers with low digital literacy were able to use the MH-PHR effectively with basic computer training.