Needs for Open Interfaces in Personal Health Record Systems and Citizen eServices – Results from a National Survey

Authors

• Aki Miettinen University of Eastern Finland, School of Computing, HIS R&D, Kuopio, Finland
• Marko Suhonen University of Eastern Finland, School of Computing, HIS R&D, Kuopio, Finland
• Juha Mykkänen University of Eastern Finland, School of Computing, HIS R&D, Kuopio, Finland
• Hannu Virkanen University of Eastern Finland, School of Computing, HIS R&D, Kuopio, Finland
• Mika Tuomainen Social Insurance Institute of Finland Kela, KanTa services, Jyväskylä, Finland

Keywords:

consumer health information, eHealth, health information management, personal health record

Abstract

Electronic services for supporting self-care, personal wellbeing management, communication between citizens and service providers, and citizen-centric care processes are developed in many countries and initiatives. Interoperability between these services and between them and information systems for service provision is increasingly needed. Open and standardized interfaces to support such interoperability must be selected or specified according to the needs of stakeholders in each project and environment. We report the results of a national survey related to the needs of open interfaces for self-care, citizen services and personal health records. The survey was performed using a web-based questionnaire focusing on the needs for open interface specifications. Interface needs were classified in nine categories. Respondents (n=23) represented health care solution providers / vendors, health service providers and research organizations. The majority of answers regarding the interface needs were in the category “great need for open interface specifications”. Most highly ranked were the interfaces for personal health record (PHR) information exchange and various needs related to identity and access management and care processes. The results are used as one basis for selecting topics for national collaboration related to open interfaces for self-care, personal health records and citizen-centric care pathways.