The demand for health information has climbed steadily in the past 5 to 10 years. Several hundred informatics systems—using a range of technologies, from telephones to interactive on-line systems—have been developed in the past decade alone. Consumer Health Informatics: What Is It? Informatics supports consumers’ ability to obtain health-related information through three general types of systems—those that simply provide information (one-way communication), those that tailor specific information to a user’s unique situation (customized information), and those that allow users to communicate and interact either with health care providers or other users (two-way communication). More complex systems that permit user interaction are usually among the most expensive. Some studies have shown, however, that informatics offers the potential to reduce some unnecessary medical services, thereby lowering health care costs. Such systems can also prepare doctors to more effectively treat certain patients. The three issues identified as most significant were access, cost, and information quality. Further, no nationwide infrastructure exists to link information from hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices, making it difficult to share critical health-related and patient information. States and local communities are also supporting projects that use technology to disseminate health information to their residents. HHS and other consumer health experts have recognized that federal coordination of government activities in consumer health informatics needs to be improved; while no single, comprehensive inventory of all federal activity exists for this new field, many federal agencies have plans for greater coordination and evaluation of consumer health informatics.
Why GAO Did This Study

GAO discussed the emergence of consumer health informatics.

What GAO Found

GAO noted that: (1) the demand for health-related information has increased steadily in the past 5 to 10 years; (2) many consumers have reported problems in gaining access to appropriate health information, especially in self-care situations; (3) several hundred informatics systems have been developed in the past decade, but most systems are still in early stages of development; (4) consumers are able to obtain health-related information through one-way communications, tailor specific information to unique situations, or communicate with health care providers through two-way communications systems; (5) more complex systems that permit user interaction are usually the most expensive; (6) consumers are able to reduce unnecessary medical services and lower health care costs by accessing health informatics systems; (7) these systems also help health care providers to more effectively treat certain patients; (8) the most significant issues that need to be addressed include system access, system development cost, and information quality; (9) there is no nationwide infrastructure to link information from hospitals, clinics, and physicians' offices; (10) states and local communities are supporting projects to disseminate health information to their residents; and (11) many federal agencies are planning greater coordination and evaluation of consumer health informatics.