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Electronic Personal Health Records for Mobile Populations: A Rapid Systematic Literature Review

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  • Paulien Tensen

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Amsterdam Health & Technology Institute, 1105 BP Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Francisca Gaifém

    (Research Unit for Global Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Simeon Kintu Paul

    (African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi P.O. Box 10787-00100, Kenya)

  • Frederick Murunga Wekesah

    (African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi P.O. Box 10787-00100, Kenya
    Julius Global Health, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Princess Ruhama Acheampong

    (Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

  • Maria Bach Nikolajsen

    (Social Inequality, Research Unit for General Practice, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • Ulrik Bak Kirk

    (Digital Health, Research Unit for General Practice, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
    Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • Ellis Owusu-Dabo

    (Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

  • Per Kallestrup

    (Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark)

  • Charles Agyemang

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Steven van de Vijver

    (Amsterdam Health & Technology Institute, 1105 BP Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Department of General Practice, OLVG Hospital, 1091 HA Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Background: Mobile populations, including refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants, face challenges related to access, continuity, and quality of healthcare, among others, due to the lack of available health records. This study aimed to examine the current landscape of Electronic Personal Health Records (EPHRs) developed for and used by mobile populations. Methods: A rapid systematic review was conducted between September 2024 and January 2025, identifying relevant publications through searches in Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and grey literature. Results: The literature search yielded 2303 articles, with 74 remaining after title and abstract screening. After full-text screening, 10 scientific articles and 9 grey literature records were included in a qualitative data synthesis. Six distinct EPHRs were identified, differing in how they centralize health records, in additional functionalities, and the level of patient autonomy granted. Discussion and Conclusions: Limited evidence exists on EPHRs impact on health outcomes or continuity of care, and user adoption remains a critical challenge. Key elements in the development and implementation of EPHRs include ensuring a high level of data security and co-designing easy-to-use EPHRs. The review indicates a need for future research on user experiences of EPHRs and their impact on the health outcomes of mobile populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulien Tensen & Francisca Gaifém & Simeon Kintu Paul & Frederick Murunga Wekesah & Princess Ruhama Acheampong & Maria Bach Nikolajsen & Ulrik Bak Kirk & Ellis Owusu-Dabo & Per Kallestrup & Charles Ag, 2025. "Electronic Personal Health Records for Mobile Populations: A Rapid Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-29, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:4:p:488-:d:1619897
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Irina Radu & Mandy Scheermesser & Martina Rebekka Spiess & Christina Schulze & Daniela Händler-Schuster & Jessica Pehlke-Milde, 2023. "Digital Health for Migrants, Ethnic and Cultural Minorities and the Role of Participatory Development: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-31, October.
    2. Chiesa, Valentina & Chiarenza, Antonio & Mosca, Davide & Rechel, Bernd, 2019. "Health records for migrants and refugees: A systematic review," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(9), pages 888-900.
    3. Joseph G. Bock & Ziaul Haque & Kevin A. McMahon, 2020. "Displaced and dismayed: how ICTs are helping refugees and migrants, and how we can do better," Information Technology for Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(4), pages 670-691, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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