| Maintaining a record about the different aspects | | | | Not only does it helps to keep a track of the |
| of health is an important and mandatory step for | | | | progress of the condition, but also has numerous |
| all the hospitals and clinics. The simplest benefit | | | | other benefits. These can include: ease of access |
| offered is: this system helps the hospitals to keep | | | | to medical care, faster prescriptions, proof in |
| a track of the progress of the patients while, the | | | | medicolegal cases, ease of transfer to other |
| patients will have a record of all the treatments | | | | hospitals, easier storage of all medical data and |
| and tests they have undergone. There are | | | | many more. |
| numerous other benefits that a health record can | | | | Growing value of PHRs |
| serve to the hospitals and the patients. With the | | | | The healthcare industry has grown in leaps and |
| advent of information technology the whole world | | | | bounds while the patient awareness is also on the |
| is going digital and health records are not left | | | | rise. With the increased access to internet |
| behind. While many of the hospitals are opting for | | | | patients and their caregivers are giving a high |
| digitalizing its processes, patients and their | | | | importance to health and want to be in control of |
| caregivers are also looking forward for an easier | | | | their health. Maintaining a PHR gives them this |
| way to maintain all the data assembled during | | | | benefit wherein they have the freedom to visit |
| their course of treatment. | | | | any doctor or hospital they want without having |
| Personal Health Record | | | | to wait until all the related data has been sent |
| Personal Health Record (PHR) refers to the | | | | across. Medical history is one of the vital |
| medical information regarding one's health or | | | | requirements while prescribing newer diagnostic |
| disease that is maintained and controlled by the | | | | tests or following different treatment protocols. |
| individual, and can be shared with others, including | | | | The new age health technologies have opened up |
| caregivers, family members and providers. An | | | | different kinds of benefits while using the PHRs. |
| individual can store data about their personal | | | | These include: |
| health data such as height, weight, medical | | | | · Verifying medical records for amendments or |
| conditions suffering from, medications being taken, | | | | adding information (such as alternative treatments |
| allergies etc. Additionally, he/she can also store the | | | | or incomplete information) |
| results of all the medical tests conducted. | | | | · Evaluating drug interaction (useful when the |
| As the world is getting digitalized, health records | | | | patient is on multiple drugs) |
| are being widely stored in electronic formats | | | | · Home monitoring |
| which increase the ease of access at individual | | | | · Prevention and wellness reminders |
| points and transfer across different departments | | | | · Faster processing of claims and payment |
| or hospitals. For the benefit of patients different | | | | · Quicker refilling of prescriptions |
| electronic record companies are offering free | | | | · Faster retrieving of reports from laboratory |
| services to help them store their medical data in | | | | and other tests |
| the electronic format. | | | | · Scheduling appointments |
| Importance of PHRs | | | | In conclusion, PHRs provide better control to the |
| While the hospitals are required to store the data | | | | patient regarding his health. However, the threat |
| related to the visits, medical procedures and tests | | | | of misuse or loss of privacy has been expressed |
| conducted on the patients, it is beneficial for the | | | | by healthcare providers and patients alike. |
| patient or the caregivers to have a personal copy | | | | Nevertheless, choosing the right provider can help |
| of all the tests and procedures being performed. | | | | solving these problems. |