System lets students access health records online

Students will now have easier access to their health records because of a new system the IU Health Center has implemented.

The IU Health Center, in collaboration with the Fort Wayne-based NoMoreClipboard.com, introduced Monday online personal health record accounts available for students to create.

“The primary concept behind the personal health records is to give students a place to compile all medical records,” said Jeff Donnell, vice president of NoMoreClipboard.com.

Previously, students had to show up early for appointments at the Health Center and fill out medical history forms, Donnell said.

“Our student population is extremely Web-savvy, and filling out patient registration forms in a clinic waiting room might strike them as antiquated and inefficient,” IU Health Center Associate Director Pete Grogg said in a news release.

The previous system was less than ideal, he said, because students often did not have the requested information available at the time of the appointment.

“The personal health records will have the ability to track certain health measures like blood pressure and to store information like preferred hospitals and emergency contacts,” Donnell said. “Students can also include past medical records on paper that they want stored.”

In addition to better communication between students and Health Center professionals, the center will be saving money in the long run, Donnell said.

“We made it very affordable for the Health Center,” he said. “This way they won’t be prescribing wrong medications, and they will save money.”

The new system will cost the center 25 cents for every student who fills out a personal health record, Donnell said.

Students can find the link to fill out their personal health records at the Health Center page on OneStart, Donnell said. A link on the page takes students to a Web site that guides them through the step-by-step process at no cost.

With most communication done over the Internet today, Donnell said the new online health records will be more convenient for students.

“The Health Center is more likely to get forms more complete, accurate and legible
with the new system,” he said.

Senior Christine Malzfeldt said she thinks the personal health records are a good idea.

“It’s more convenient,” she said. “I use the computer for pretty much everything – banking, classes, almost everything.”

Graduate student Phoebe Elefante said she has some concerns about the records.

“It’s a good idea out of convenience,” she said. “But anonymity is important. Permission to who can see it other than me is the biggest concern.”

The Health Center chose to make the personal records available as a way to get it up and running for the spring semester, Donnell said. Next year’s incoming freshman class will be required to fill out the form.

“We can collect the information before they even show up for class,” he said. “And after graduating they can still take it with them.”

Donnell said he thinks the personal health records will get off to a slow start, but they will have a high adoption for future
classes.

“The Health Center launched online appointment requests earlier this year,” he said.

“There was no promotion, and already 30 percent of students are requesting appointments that way. I believe a lot of students will hear about this and find it is a much more convenient approach.”