A personal heath record, or PHR, is a tool used to track, collect, and share your health information. Both past and present information is saved and stored in one place for ultimate convenience. A PHR can help you make intelligent health decisions, and it can also help health care providers choose the best treatments for you. The PHR allows them to get a better insight of into the full health background with the information in the record.
Why is a personal health record important for me?
Personal health records are important for a few key reasons. First, it is important to always have access to all of your health information. You may also find yourself in a situation where you cannot speak for yourself, and PHRs ensure that there will be reliable and accurate information on hand for your doctor. PHRs also give you control over your health information. You can decide who and when someone is able to see your health records.
What information appears in a personal health record?
There is some information that's commonly found in all PHRs. Most contain an identification sheet that provides all of your general information, such as your like name, address, and contact information. Most PHRs contain lists of current and past illnesses and medications. PHRs also document progress notes and consultation information.
How do I maintain my personal health record?
To maintain a PHR, you need to choose a format that works for the best for you. Decide how you would like to keep the records. There is software that is available, though you could choose to use paper records as well. Software is the most recommended form for a PHR.
Once all your health information has been gathered, it should be kept in secure place. The information can be printed and kept in a file folder or transferred to a USB drive for storage. There are also web-based services available for PHR storage. You can subscribe to these sites and enter your health information at any time via a computer, tablet, or Internet-capable device.
Is a personal health record different from an electronic medical record or electronic health record?
A PHR is significantly different that an electronic medical record, or EMR. Electronic medical records are maintained by hospitals and health care centers. Doctors, practitioners, and other professionals in the health care field have full control over the maintenance of electronic medical records. The information collected in an EMR is submitted by a wide range of medical professionals at a medical center where you receive treatment.
Personal health records and electronic medical records are both different from electronic health records, or EHRs. Electronic health records are comprehensive patients histories that contain information from multiple treatment facilities. If a doctor wishes to learn more about your treatments from other hospitals or clinics, he or she will likely request access to your electronic health record.
