As the cost of mapping out personal genomes goes down, the more potentially lifesaving but sensitive genetic data is available. Although the day when its commonplace to have that personal information in a medical record may be several years away, it is coming. And health insurers and hospitals need to think about how that information will be processed and transmitted in electronic medical records.

The Air Force Medical Service is collaborating with personalized medicine research center, the Coriell Institute for Medical Research in Camden, New Jersey in a study to review and evaluate medical evidence assess, among other things, best practices for using genetic information in EMRs, according to Coriell President Dr. Michael Christman. It will look at how the data should be displayed and how it should be shared with physicians.

About 2,000 active duty medical service personnel are expected to participate in the six-year Patient-Centered Precision Care Research program longitudinal study. It has already begun the recruitment process. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will also offer research and program management support for the study.

The institute is working on a similar study with Ohio State University Medical Center.

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Personalized medicine study using genetic data in EMRs signs up Air Force