When you make an office visit to see your doctor, your doctor updates and maintains an electronic health record (EHR) for you. This is a detailed record of each office visit.
A personal health record (PHR) is a “mini” health record and is not as detailed as the EHR. The personal health record does not replace, but rather complements the EHR.
The Personal Health Record (PHR):
• Provides immediate access to an important medical information.
• Stores and makes accessible the information a patient will need to provide to the doctor during an e-consult.
• Moves with you and is accessible wherever you have Internet access and can be printed, too, if you need a hard copy of your information.
The Personal Health Record has many uses and benefits:
• Available “on the fly” when you go to urgent care or to the emergency room.
• Serves as a reminder of information covered at your last appointment.
• Accompanies you when on vacation or business trips.
• Smooths the transition to a new doctor when you move to a new location.
• Delivers health maintenance reminders for vaccinations or follow-ups.
• Issues appointment reminders.
The Personal Health Record contains the following vital medical information:
• Medication list (both prescription and over-the-counter).
• Medicine allergy list.
• Major diagnoses and surgical history list.
The Personal Health Record is safe and secure:
• All data is encrypted and stored securely.
• Doctors and patients access information only through a secure smartphone app with encrypted data transmission (SSL, 256-bit encryption) — which is the same security banks use to protect financial information.
