OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate public opinion regarding personal health management service using Personal Health Record (PHR) in Korea. Specifically, the relationships between consumer's demographic characteristics, need for health information, consumer's benefit and concern, type of health information, type of management and security of patient information using PHR and attitude to PHR were explored.

METHODS: A survey was conducted, using questionnaire developed by the study team based on literature review. Structured questionnaires were completed through a telephone survey for 715 consumers.

RESULTS: A key finding was the significant difference for customer's attitude towards using PHR by customer's characteristics. Regarding factors affecting attitudes of customers with higher concern about their health, considering authorization level to access their private information and using reliable method to certificate were more likely to prefer PHR system positively.

CONCLUSION: Public opinion is reflected in policy of health information. Meeting consumers' needs sufficiently, the goal of health information service to improve consumers' accessibility to and satisfaction will archive successfully.