Manage My Health
History
Manage My Health was developed in 2008 by Medtech Global, a New Zealand-based company specialised in healthcare technology solutions and owned by Cereus Holdings. This patient portal can be integrated with various Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems and is used by most GP practices across the country, making it the most widely used patient portal in New Zealand. In 2020, when Cereus Holdings sold Medtech Global, it decided to retain ownership of the Manage My Health platform, continuing to operate it independently (Manage My Health, 2024,-a; McDonald, 2020).
Features
The platform grants patients access to their medical records within the Patient Management System of their registered practice, often referred to as primary care medical history. This resource can be accessed through the website: https://www.managemyhealth.co.nz/individuals/.
Manage My Health serves as a secure conduit for receiving health information directly from a patient's doctor. Additionally, it offers a repository for supplementary health-related data that may not be recorded in the doctor's system, allowing patients to manually enter details of alternative treatments and medications. With this portal, individuals can retrieve their personal health information from any internet-enabled device, regardless of where they are.
Currently, patients can access their health records through the portal, which includes recent medical conditions, immunisation records, allergies, prescriptions, and more. Furthermore, patients can:
Book appointments with their GP.
Make online real-time payments for video and phone consultations, appointments, and repeat prescriptions.
Access lab test results as soon as they are received by their doctor.
Order repeat prescriptions.
Receive appointment reminders.
Set and manage health goals.
Participate in video and phone consultations.
Send messages to doctors and nurses.
Share health information with healthcare providers and trusted individuals in case of emergencies.
Beyond these core functionalities, the website offers additional features, including access to health-related news, participation in community forums, and entry into various wellness initiatives (Manage My Health, 2024).
Challenges and areas for improvement
Manage My Health is widely used but faces several challenges that affect its functionality and user experience. Key issues include:
Limited Data Integration: The platform only aggregates information from GP practices and public healthcare providers, excluding data from private healthcare providers.
Lack of Access Log: Patients cannot view an access log to see who has accessed their medical records or when, limiting transparency.
Device Integration: The platform does not currently support integration with health-monitoring devices, restricting its utility for patients who use such tools to manage their health.
(PKB interviews, 2024)
Published outcomes - statistics
Manage My Health is used by over 1.85 million Kiwis (out of a total of 5.123 million) and by most GP practices (Manage My Health, 2024,-b).
Screenshots
Bibliography
Manage My Health, 2024, My Health in My Hands. Available at:https://managemyhealth.co.nz/individuals/ (accessed: 25 January 2024).
Manage My Health, 2024, About Us. Manage My Health. Available at: https://managemyhealth.co.nz/about-us/ (accessed: 25 July 2024).
McDonald, K., 2020. Private equity firm buys Medtech Global, ManageMyHealth spun out. Pulse+IT News. Available at: Private equity firm buys Medtech Global; ManageMyHealth spun out - Pulse+IT (accessed: 25 July 2024).