AHRQ study touts consumer benefits of HIT

A new study from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality concludes that consumer HIT tools hold “significant” promise for improving health outcomes (Source: “Consumer technology may improve health outcomes,” Government Health IT, Oct. 23, 2009).

The study (pdf, 549 pages)found that the use of consumer technology had the strongest influence on clinical outcomes for management of mental health symptoms of depressions, anxiety and stress.

“Available literature suggests that select consumer health informatics applications may effectively engage consumers, enhance traditional clinical interventions, and improve both intermediate and clinical health outcomes,” the study said.