Difference between revisions of "Microsoft HealthVault"

Revision as of 23:00, 12 November 2007

On October 4, 2007, Microsoft(R) Corporation released Microsoft HealthVault (1,2). Microsoft has taken pains to clarify that HealthVault is not intended to be a personal health record (PHR), but instead will be a platform that could service numerous personal health applications (PHAs). Several features of this platform include:

• Interfaces to support medical and monitoring devices
• Security features

Integration with PHAs and medical devices

To encourage integration of PHAs and medical devices with HealthVault, Microsoft provides developers with a free software development kit (SDK) and has published the APIs for HealthVault. Microsoft does not host third-party applications that have HealthVault interfaces; instead, developers host their own applications and create their own business models.

Microsoft has already partnered with a number of medical device vendors to allow information to be uploaded to HealthVault. The end user achieves device integration by going to the Connection Center on the HealthVault website. Devices include blood pressure monitors from Omron, Microlife

Security features

Business model

Microsoft plans to monetize HealthVault based on its search engine (HealthVault Search). Queries may be directed based on personal health content stored in HealthVault. However, users will be given the option of not passing on health information to HealthVault search.

Benefits and concerns

References

(1) HealthVault site: http://www.healthvault.com/

(2) HealthVault press release: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/healthvault/default.mspx

Stephen E. Ross MD University of Colorado - Denver School of Medicine