Predictors affecting personal health information management skills.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated major factors affecting personal health records (PHRs) management skills associated with survey respondents' health information management related activities.


METHODS
A self-report survey was used to assess individuals' personal characteristics, health knowledge, PHR skills, and activities. Factors underlying respondents' current PHR-related activities were derived using principal component analysis (PCA). Scale scores were calculated based on the results of the PCA, and hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to identify respondent characteristics associated with the scale scores. Internal consistency of the derived scale scores was assessed with Cronbach's α.


RESULTS
Among personal health information activities surveyed (N = 578 respondents), the four extracted factors were subsequently grouped and labeled as: collecting skills (Cronbach's α = 0.906), searching skills (Cronbach's α = 0.837), sharing skills (Cronbach's α = 0.763), and implementing skills (Cronbach's α = 0.908). In the hierarchical regression analyses, education and computer knowledge significantly increased the explanatory power of the models. Health knowledge (β = 0.25, p < 0.001) emerged as a positive predictor of PHR collecting skills.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed that PHR training and learning should consider a full spectrum of information management skills including collection, utilization and distribution to support patients' care and prevention continua.
a Division of Biomedical Informatics , College of Public Health & School of Library and Information Science, College of Communication and Information, University of Kentucky , Lexington , KY , USA .
Sujin
S
Kim
b Department of Epidemiology , Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky , Lexington , KY , USA.
Erin
E
Abner
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D063025:Health Information Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D055991:Health Records, Personal; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Hierarchical regression analysis, personal health records, personal information management, principal component analysis