After the fall of Google Health, many had written off PHR (Personal Health Record) software as dead and gone. I can’t say that I had much hope for PHR software myself. Although, some of the recent moves by PHR vendor NoMoreClipboard have me pausing to reconsider what value a PHR could provide. My gut tells me they might want to distance themselves from the toxic term, PHR, but they’re definitely being creative with the platform they created.
Right before HIMSS I covered how the PHR could help to facilitate an ACO and Patient Centered Medical Home. Both ACO and PCMH are much more popular terms these days and quite frankly many are still trying to figure out how to make them a reality. I could see a PHR helping to make this happen.
Just yesterday, NoMoreClipboard announced a partnership with Healthx which makes PHR software available to Payers and Employers. I know that many in the investment world are arguing against trying to get money from payers and employers for wellness programs as a startup company. Although, NoMoreClipboard is not a startup company and I have little doubt that integrating their PHR with the Healthx portal was not easily accomplished. I’ll be interested to hear how many of the 12 million people who use Healthx end up using the PHR as well.
Add in the meaningful use stage 2 requirements that PHR can fulfill and maybe just maybe the PHR are back in style. Although, they’re not the PHR that most thought it would be. Instead, it’s taking on new forms that give it an interesting new life.
