Google in partnership with the prestigious Cleveland Clinic has launched a beta version of its new Google Health Record.  Although personal health records (PHR’s) have been available for many years the switch from paper to electronic access has been slow and plagued with compatibility issues.  The new Google based system will ultimately link multiple systems from doctor offices, clinics, labs, pharmacies and hospitals into a single record which can be accessed from anywhere through a web portal.

“The ultimate goal of this patient-centered and controlled model is to give patients the ability to interact with multiple physicians, healthcare service providers and pharmacies.”

As I discuss in my new book, one of the best ways to get your best possible healthcare is to take control of your personal information and ensure that every provider has a complete picture of your overall health.  Many people have raised concerns over privacy, security and HIPAA issues from Google branching into healthcare.  However this recent development is a major step forward in broad reaching electronic access for patients to their medical records information.