Table 1.

Research questions and guidelines followed for the review and synthesis.

Review perspective	RQa	HITb assessment review guidelines	Review and synthesis outcomes
Product utility	RQ1. What features and functions are available in contemporary PHRsc, and how has this functionality evolved over time?	1. Technology definition and literature search	Literature selection procedure PHR working definition Functional utility model of PHR technologies
Consumer value	RQ2. What is the potential value of various PHR functionalities to health care consumers?	2. Conceptual analysis and framework formulation	Functional utility model of PHR technologies PHR consumer value framework
Industry benefits	RQ3. How can the mainstream deployment and use of PHR systems translate into benefits for the health care system as a whole?	3. Reflective synthesis and summary	Value propositions and benefits of PHR systems

^aRQ: research question.

^bHIT: health information technology.

^cPHR: personal health record.