Personal health records (PHRs) are becoming more than just static repositories of health information -- they are maturing into powerful, user-centered tools that can transform people's health by coordinating data drawn not only from health care institutions but also generated by consumers themselves, in the course of their daily lives.  Such observations of daily living (ODL) - which include information on such activities and experiences as sleep, diet, exercise, stress and adherence to medication regimens - is one area of PHR development that is truly user-directed, both in the kind of information contained in the record and the health decisions that stem from it. Ideally, patients will be able to gather and analyze their own ODL data via next-generation PHRs to determine ways to live healthier, rather than simply manage their health conditions. The latest e-primer examines the importance of gathering everyday observations, how the Project HealthDesign teams are incorporating ODL into their designs and what this means for the future of PHRs.

Click here to read the e-primer.