The Kay Center is continually developing robust projects in efforts to achieve its Research and Policy Outreach goals. As the center unfolds, these projects will be elaborated upon in further detail. The following is a preliminary listing of projects and project areas.

PHR-EDR Testing and Implementation

Project Leader: Bengisu Tulu, Ph.D.

This research project will build on the findings of the PHR Taxonomy and further investigate the functional requirements for PHR systems to satisfy the needs of disabled users. A prototype PHR system will be piloted to refine the user requirements and the prototype system. Specific objectives of this study are:

1. Identifying disabled users’ requirements and expectations from PHR systems at pre-implementation stage;
2. Implementing a PHR systems prototype that will satisfy expectations of focused user groups;
3. Conducting usability and acceptance studies of the PHR prototype system.

EDR Organizational Implications

Project Leader: Nicole Garcia with Bengisu Tulu, Ph.D.

This research proposes to explore business value that can be obtained through the implementation of Electronic Disability Record systems for disability claims from the payer’s (insurance companies) perspective. Specific objectives are to:

1. Identify the functional requirements for an EDR system that will support disability determination process in the selected agency (SSA)
2. Understand the effects of EDR system on the disability determination and claim processing work flow
3. Identify the implication of using PHR systems during the disability evaluation and determination process including the organizational readiness

PHR Testing and Implementation

Project Leader: Juanita Dawson with Bengisu Tulu, Ph.D., Benjamin Schooley, Ph.D., and Richard Burkhard, Ph.D.

This research project will investigate the employer supported PHR systems for employees. The users focused in this study are mostly healthy adults; however, disabled and chronically ill users will also be considered. Specific objectives of this project are:

1. Identifying user expectations from PHR systems supported by their employers;
2. Identifying privacy and other concerns among users of these systems and the effects of these concerns on their utilization and adoption of the PHR;
3. Exploring how can employers achieve successful PHR implementations for their employees.

PHR – Underserved Populations Research

Project Leader: Nathan Botts with Richard Burkhard, Ph.D.

This research project will evaluate the ability of a personal health record (PHR), used in accordance with Care Managers, in facilitating the transition between shared health management to self-management of healthcare among underserved populations.

Evaluation measures will include facets of:

1. patient-physician communication
2. improvement of health awareness and outcomes
3. consumer satisfaction with their healthcare provider
4. assessment of accessibility and usability factors of the personal health record.

PHR for Emergency Medical Services

Project Leader: Sue Feldman with Ben Schooley, Ph.D.

This research project explores the potential of electronic personal health care records in providing significant impact during and immediately after emergency incidents.  The goal of this project is to understand and communicate the potential value that a PHR system could have during emergency situations for a range of stakeholders including health care professionals and underserved populations. Specific objectives are to:

1. Identify and profile current and potential system users (health professionals and patients).
2. Explore performance impact of electronic PHR system on county EMS operations.
3. Explore performance impact for underserved and “frequent flyer” populations (elderly, chronic unwell, disabled).
4. Assess user perspectives of e-PHR system from health professionals and patients.

Incomplete Medical Evidence in the Disability Determination Process

Sue Feldman with Susan Daniels, Ph.D. and Bengisu Tulu, Ph.D.

This research will explore the impact of incomplete medical evidence and/or the delay in completing medical evidence on the disability determination process. Also explored will be the role online access to electronic records can play in lowering the occurrence of incomplete medical evidence files. Specific objectives are to explore:

1. the impact of “incomplete” medical evidence and/or the delay in completing medical evidence on the disability determination process (specifically, for SSA disability claim processing),
2. the solutions implemented to address “incomplete” or delayed medical evidence collection, and
3. the role online access to electronic records can play in lowering the number of “incomplete” medical evidence or in reducing the delay in completing medical evidence.

PHR Adoption – Trigger Events

Project Leader: Nicole Garcia

This research will explore PHR adoption from a consumer-centric standpoint, examining the drivers for PHR adoption, labeled Trigger Events. The goal of this project is to investigate the phenomenon of PHR adoption from the perspective of actual consumers who have adopted a PHR.  Specific objectives are to:

1. Examine actual consumer drivers for adoption of a PHR.
2. Development of a framework of Trigger Events for PHR adoption.

Analysis for the Medem / AHA study of the Effects of Interactive PHRs on Patients and Healthcare Providers

Project Leader: Richard Burkhard, Ph.D., with Bengisu Tulu, Ph.D.

This project will provide data analysis and interpretation for a study conducted by Medem, Inc, a leading provider of personal health records (PHRs) and related network services, that will examine the impact and value of interactive, web-based personal health records on patients and healthcare providers. The study is sponsored by the American Heart Association. Specific objectives of the study include:

1. Documenting the effects of interactive PHR services on patient satisfaction and medication adherence
2. Understanding and documenting the effects of interactive PHRs on physician satisfaction and practice efficiency