Personal Health Records (PHRs) are gaining widespread attention as they take electronic form and potentially link to medical health records.

The complexity of health concepts and terminology and the large number and variety of health conditions makes using PHRs challenging for consumers and, especially so, for those with little computer skill and who have health conditions that limit electronic interactions. The adoption and effectiveness of PHRs will depend as much on systems and user interfaces as on the data in the records. This talk will report results from a project that aimed to develop an evidence-based framework for usability guidelines. The focus was on grounding the guideline framework in consumer needs assessments and in adding to the usability evidence for the important function of viewing and understanding information displayed in a PHR. A literature review, survey of existing PHR system features, design mockup, and four focused usability studies were completed and synthesized to yield three-dimensional usability guideline matrix that crosses PHR functionality, data types, and specific usability issues.

Dr. Gary Marchionini is Cary C. Boshamer Professor, School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

http://videocast.nih.gov/.