Personal Health Information Management - PHIM

A relevant example for information sharing

CaringBridge.org -- http://www.caringbridge.org/

For example, http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/depasquale

An overall message

Increasing responsibility of the patients to be in charge of their treatments. Studies show that more engaged and involved

patients respond better to treatment Health care is fragmented and specialists do

not communicate with each other, except through the specialist

Health care is part of a larger life picture that involves activities not directly related to the health treatments.

Fragmentation

Various doctors Caregivers Family Work Other interests and activities

How much should each know? Whose responsibility is it that the treatment is right?

Personal Health Records

Tools provide record of health history to the patient. Information generally web based Access needs to be open to those who need the

information to treat the patient, but protected from those who should not see it.

Keep a record of medications, allergic reactions, potential interactions of medications, past conditions, surgery, test results, etc.

Data collection

Home health management technologies collect information about conditions Pacemakers can be read through a phone connection

to provide an update on the patient’s condidition from home

Diabetes monitors check blood sugar levels Some devices monitor for a number of conditions and

send an alert if a danger is detected These are especially valuable for people with chronic

conditions who live alone.

Study findings demostrate needs:

Information is fragmented People do not always know what to do with

information when the have it People forget or cannot find information when

it is needed People can become overwhelmed by

available information People’s approach to PIM needs support

Further details, from radiology

Radiology & IT presentation by Dr. David Meyer