The capabilities associated with traditional personal health records have been kicked up to the next level with the introduction of the Mayo Clinic Health Manager. Powered by Microsoft HealthVault, the Mayo Clinic's online application is designed to store medical information in the Cloud, but also to offer clinical guidelines to users. The Mayo Clinic promises that the medical recommendations will be tailored specifically to end-users, in accordance with their personal media info. The promise from Microsoft is that the Mayo Clinic Health Manager will ultimately be able to boost the level of health management for end-users.

“Microsoft and Mayo Clinic came together because of our shared vision to help families take better care of their health,” David Cerino, general manager of the Consumer Health Solutions Group at Microsoft, explained. “With Mayo Clinic Health Manager, we’ve combined the capabilities of Microsoft HealthVault with clinical leadership and health guidance from Mayo Clinic’s vast body of medical knowledge to develop an interactive and customized health solution. It’s a great match of technological innovation and health expertise that will help people live healthier lives.”

Following the launch, the Mayo Clinic Health Manager is set up to focus on a variety of issues including pediatric immunizations, pregnancy and asthma. However, the software giant promised that the initial features available to users would evolve. In the following months, the growth of the Mayo Clinic Health Manager will also enable users to manage type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

“As a physician, I truly appreciate when my patients are actively engaged and informed about their health. Mayo Clinic Health Manager can help patients share information more easily with their doctors and manage their own health better between office visits,” Dr. Sidna Tulledge-Scheitel, M.D., MPH, a primary care physician and medical director of Mayo Clinic Global Products and Services, said.