Google's entrance into Personal Health Records (PHRs) increases the competition in the PHR market but even more significantly, it represents a very stark differentiation between online, patient managed, health records, and Electronic Health Records (EHRs) managed by the hospitals, clinics and insurers who are bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act (HIPAA).
Two's a Crowd
May 19, 2008 marked the official launch of Google Health services. Free to Google users, the site allows patients to add their own personal health information to an online portal for the purpose of sharing important information on prescriptions, blood type, and other health-related issues with health professionals and pharmacists.
