International Journal of Healthcare Information Systems and Informatics, 8(1), 1-16, January-March 2013 1 Copyright © 2013, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Keywords: Health Informatics, Health Internet-Register, Long-Term and Chronic Condition, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Qualitative Content Analysis Identifying and Addressing the Barriers to the Use of an Internet-Register for Multiple Sclerosis Lisa A. Osborne, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK Hazel M. Lockhart-Jones, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK Rodden M. Middleton, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK Simon Thompson, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK Inocencio D. C. Maramba, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK Kerina H. Jones, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK David V. Ford, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK J. Gareth Noble, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK ABSTRACT Given the potential of health internet-registers, this study examined how such registers can be made more effective and effcient. This involved investigating the actual barriers to usage experienced by those for whom such registers are established to help. To elicit responses regarding the opinions, views, and experi- ences of participants, concerning their various reasons for non-progression or non-completion of the pilot UK MS Register, a list of ten potential key areas of diffculty, in the form of short statements, was e-mailed to participants. A content analysis revealed that there were four main areas of concern that could represent potential barriers for health internet-registers, in general, and that need to be considered when establishing, designing, and developing such registers: technical aspects of using the internet; computer literacy and abil- ity, encompassing website design, clarity, and user-friendliness; symptom mismatches with register content; and condition-specifc effects and impacts as barriers to internet-register use. DOI: 10.4018/jhisi.2013010101