Background: Personally controlled electronic health records (PCEHRs) are being implemented throughout Australia; yet few studies have investigated patients' experiences of using a PCEHR.
Aim: To explore patients' experiences and perspectives of using a locally developed PCEHR implemented in an Australian health service.
Method: Twelve patients completed individual semi-structured telephone interviews, which underwent inductive analysis.
Results: Participants described two main interdependent advantages of PCEHRs: improved quality of healthcare through better information sharing and enhanced patient capacity for self-management. To realise these advantages, widespread acceptance and use of PCEHRs by healthcare providers is required, and PCEHRs need to be simple to use and accessible.
Conclusion: PCEHRs can produce tangible benefits for patients. However, maximum benefits will be realised when PCEHRs contain a complete collection of relevant health information and are carefully designed for easy use.
Keywords: My Health Record; consumer health information; consumer participation; eHealth; electronic health record; electronic medical record; medical records; patient participation; personal health information; personal health records; personally controlled electronic health records.