The Smart PHR

The Good: Multiple access points including web, cell phone and USB. Integration using CCR and sharing with Microsoft Health Vault.

The Bad: User interface of record itself not intuitive and could prove frustrating.

The Bottomline: The Smart PHR offers a wide range of access options, the user interface of the record itself is rather confusing. Even after navigating through the various options and screens, it wasn’t really clear how the Clipboard, Everyday Chart and Life Agent care plans integrated and could best be used. Perhaps, some thought could lend a plan; however, the average user may not want to take the time required.

Editor’s Rating:

Reviewed on June 30, 2009

The Smart PHR is tool that provides access to health information via a web browser or smart phone. The Smart PHR offers a 3-month free trial upon completing a simple registration screen. After registering, the user is asked to complete a simple Client Registration form that asks for more background information and security questions.

There are four major areas of the Smart PHR where information can be added:

1. Clipboard

In the Clipboard, information can be added under the following categories:

The account administrator can make selected categories of Clipboard information available to emergency responders, who use a special password that grants them limited access to the selected categories. Only the account administrator can add to Clipboard categories.

Under each category, records can be added by date and event. Free text can be added relating to the particular event. In addition, the account administrator can upload and attach files (PDF files, JPEG images, other documents) to an everyday chart. For example, prescription forms, medicine package inserts, lab results, etc., can be uploaded and attached to any Clipboard record.

2. Everyday Charts

Everyday Charts is where Smart PHRs can have records added which relate to specific categories of information:

SmartPhone PHR Life Agents™ are care plan workflow engines that support individualized evidence-based treatment plans that align generic disease-management guidelines and consumers' special needs and resources. The Smart PHR offers care plans in the following areas:

It was not readily apparent from the interface how to access these particular care plans. There was no information under the “Care Plan” tab in Everyday Charts.

As specified by the product, the difference between Clipboard and Everyday Charts, is that while Clipboard provides a current snapshot of crucial information, Everyday Charts are a place to record and monitor longer term projects and issues. For example, Everyday Charts can be used to monitor finances, insurance claim status, or weight loss regimens.

There is also a difference in access privileges between the Clipboard and Everyday Charts. For example, the administrator can grant "read-only" access to medical records to a family member, while granting "read/write" access to the family doctor. This is different from Clipboard because users can actually add to Everyday Charts, whereas they can only read Clipboard categories to which they have access privileges. Similar to the Clipboard, records can be added under each category by data and event and files can also be uploaded.

3. Secure Messaging

Smart Messaging is a private non-email based system, used for communication among users. The messages in this system stay within The Smart PHR™ - they don't enter the Internet email domain. Users can choose to be notified of new messages via their public Internet email accounts, but they'll need to log in to the system to read the message.

4. Calendar

The Calendar provides a way for users to schedule appointments with other users who have access to the same Smart PHR. A networked calendar automates scheduling and reminding, synchronizing with MS Outlook. Files can be uploaded and attached to scheduled events.

Some additional features The Smart PHR offers include an audit trail, 24/7 availability via the web or mobile phone, data persistence, and emergency preparedness access.

Bottomline: While The Smart PHR offers a wide range of access options, the user interface of the record itself is rather confusing. Even after navigating through the various options and screens, it wasn’t really clear how the Clipboard, Everyday Chart and Life Agent care plans integrated and could best be used. Perhaps, some thought could lend a plan; however, the average user may not want to take the time required.