patient portal vs personal health record

by Elise Schuster 4 min read

The Difference Between Patient Portals and Personal …

11 hours ago  · Whenever a patient health record is connected to a medical record, it is considered protected by HIPAA. Depending on who you ask, that definition of PHRs could look very similar to the definition for patient portals. Patient Portals . Patient portals are secure websites or apps that allow patients access around the clock to their personal health … >> Go To The Portal


patient portal is a platform where patients can inetract with the doctor and can share their health related problem with them. PHR

Personal health record

A personal health record is a health record where health data and other information related to the care of a patient is maintained by the patient. This stands in contrast to the more widely used electronic medical record, which is operated by institutions and contains data entered by clinicians to support insurance claims. The intention of a PHR is to provide a complete and accurate summary of an individual…

is a Personal Health Record (PHR) portal to manage health information of patients.

Full Answer

How do patient portals and personal health records differ?

patient’s paper medical record, but in electronic form. PHRs universally focus on providing individuals with the ability to manage their health information and to control, to varying extents, who can access that health information.

What are the pros and cons of personal health records?

  • Correction of medical errors within the medical record was possiblea
  • Patients had a broader knowledge base of their health concerns and decreased utilization of healthcare servicesb
  • Opportunities were provided for increased effective communication between patients and physiciansc
  • Patients initiated health improvemend

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How to get your patients to use your patient portal?

With a patient portal, you can:

  • Make appointments (non-urgent)
  • Request referrals
  • Refill prescriptions
  • Check benefits
  • Update insurance or contact information
  • Make payments to your provider's office
  • Complete forms
  • Ask questions through secure e-mail

How to access patient portal?

Access Patient Portal. Click Settings > Patient Portal . The Patient Portal Dashboard page launches in a web browser. An alternate way to access the Patient Portal is to: Open a web browser and type portal.kareo.com in the address bar. Click For Doctors on the bottom. The Patient Portal landing page opens. Click Sign in on the upper right.

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What is the difference between a patient portal and a Personal Health Record?

The Portal is controlled by the source system (EMR/EHR/Hospital). On the other hand, the Personal Health Record (PHR) is more patient centric, is controlled by a patient or family member, and may or may not be connected to a doctor or hospital (i.e. it may be tethered or untethered).

Is a patient portal and PHR the same thing?

PHRs, EHRs and patient portals A PHR that is tied to an EHR is called a patient portal. In some but not all cases you can add information, such as home blood pressure readings, to your record via a patient portal.

What's the main difference between a PHR and an EHR?

Whereas an electronic health record (EHR) is a computer record that originates with and is controlled by doctors, a personal health record (PHR) can be generated by physicians, patients, hospitals, pharmacies, and other sources but is controlled by the patient.

What are two advantages of having a patient portal system?

By giving patients online access, staff can be freed up from scheduling appointments, writing down refill needs, and answer questions about referrals. Not to mention reporting on lab results and taking messages for physicians.

Are patient portals part of the EHR?

Electronic health record (EHR) patient portals provide a means by which patients can access their health information, including diagnostic test results.

Is patient portal part of EMR?

Integrated patient portal software functionality usually comes as a part of an EMR system, an EHR system or practice management software. But at their most basic, they're simply web-based tools. You can use patient portals to retrieve lab results, ask a question or update patient profiles and insurance providers.

What are the different types of personal health records?

Yes, there are two main kinds of personal health records (PHRs). Standalone Personal Health Records: With a standalone PHR, patients fill in information from their own records, and the information is stored on patients' computers or the Internet.

Who uses a PHR?

Chronic Disease Management: Patients who have one or more chronic conditions may use a PHR monitor and record symptoms and test results (such as blood pressure or blood sugar readings). PHRs can help them track lab results, which may motivate them to adhere to your treatment plan.

Is Epic an EMR or EHR?

Is Epic an EHR or EMR? Epic is a cloud-based EHR built for hospitals with the functionality to handle the day-to-day operations of a practice, including patient medical records. An EMR (electronic medical records) system is responsible for medical records alone, Epic medal records are available in the Epic EHR system.

What are the disadvantages of a patient portal?

Even though they should improve communication, there are also disadvantages to patient portals....Table of ContentsGetting Patients to Opt-In.Security Concerns.User Confusion.Alienation and Health Disparities.Extra Work for the Provider.Conclusion.

What are the pros and cons of using a patient portal?

What are the Top Pros and Cons of Adopting Patient Portals?Pro: Better communication with chronically ill patients.Con: Healthcare data security concerns.Pro: More complete and accurate patient information.Con: Difficult patient buy-in.Pro: Increased patient ownership of their own care.

Why do patients not use patient portals?

About seven in 10 individuals cited their preference to speak with their health care provider directly as a reason for not using their patient portal within the past year. About one-quarter of individuals who did not view their patient portal within the past year reported concerns about privacy and security..

What is electronic health records?

Electronic personal health records (PHRs) remedy that problem by making your information accessible to you anytime via web-enabled devices, such as computers, smartphones and tablets.

What is the difference between a PHR and an EHR?

But EHRs contain more extensive information because they're used by health care providers to store visit notes, test results and much more. A PHR that is tied to an EHR is called a patient portal. In some but not all cases you can add information, such as home blood pressure readings, to your record via a patient portal.

What is included in a PHR?

In general, your PHR needs to include anything that helps you and your doctors manage your health — starting with the basics: Your doctor's names and phone numbers. Allergies, including drug allergies. Your medications, including dosages. List and dates of illnesses and surgeries.

What does a medical ID do?

Medical ID can display medical conditions, allergies, medications, blood type and emergency contacts. You can also use it to indicate if you're registered to be organ donor. It is important to make sure any apps you use are secure so that your information is kept private.

What are some things you can add to your health history?

You can also add information about what you're doing to stay healthy and prevent disease, such as: Home blood pressure readings. Exercise and dietary habits. Health goals, such as stopping smoking or losing weight.

Can you create a separate PHR?

If that's the case, you may not want to create a separate, standalone PHR. However, you may want to consider having at least some basic information on hand in case of emergency, including advance directives, which outline your decisions about health care, such as whether to use life-support machines.

What is the difference between a patient portal and a PHR?

The patient is provided with a secure login and can view results or clinical information and interact with healthcare providers by submitting messages, booking appointments, or requesting medication renewals. The Portal is controlled by the source system (EMR/EHR/Hospital). On the other hand, the Personal Health Record (PHR) is more patient centric, is controlled by a patient or family member, and may or may not be connected to a doctor or hospital (i.e. it may be tethered or untethered). Information in the PHR is shared at the discretion of the patient.

Is a PHR a patient centric record?

On the other hand, the Personal Health Record (PHR) is more patient centric, is controlled by a patient or family member, and may or may not be connected to a doctor or hospital (i.e. it may be tethered or untethered). Information in the PHR is shared at the discretion of the patient. The above description is quite simplistic and based upon ...

What is a patient portal?

A patient portal is a secure online website that gives patients convenient 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection. Using a secure username and password, patients can view health information such as: 1 Recent doctor visits 2 Discharge summaries 3 Medications 4 Immunizations 5 Allergies 6 Lab results

How can accessing health records improve health literacy?

According to a report published by AHIMA, patients who access their health information via any form of personal health record can improve their health literacy, giving them the power to make their own health decisions and engage in meaningful conversations with providers. “Patients who have accessed their medical records have reported ...

What is a tethered PHR?

The ONC’s definition of a tethered PHR is very similar to the definition that the agency provides for patient portals: A patient portal is a secure online website that gives patients convenient 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Do PHRs require patients to take initiative?

More current PHRs have started to address these issues. Although standalone PHRs still require patients to take the initiative to involve their providers with the technology, tethered PHRs/patient portals allow the patient to interact with the provider.

Can EHRs connect to PHRs?

As of 2013, only 60 percent of clinician EHRs could connect to PHRs, according to data from the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange. This problem can also occur with patient portals. A patient may have one portal for their primary care physician, as well as two more for their optometrist and dermatologist.

Can a PHR be interoperable?

For standalone PHRs, interoperability can cause issues for patients who want to offer a provider access to their data. A patient’s PHR may not work well with a provider’s EHR, making it impossible for the provider to access a full view of the patient’s health record.

What is a patient portal?

A patient portal is a secure online website that gives patients convenient 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection. Using a secure username and password, patients can view health information such as: Some patient portals also allow patients to:

How does a PHR help patients?

Other studies have also indicated that patient data access via PHR or patient portal can help improve outcomes.

Can a PHR be interoperable?

For standalone PHRs, interoperability can cause issues for patients who want to offer a provider access to their data. A patient’s PHR may not work well with a provider’s EHR, making it impossible for the provider to access a full view of the patient’s health record.

Can EHRs connect to PHRs?

As of 2013, only 60 percent of clinician EHRs could connect to PHRs, according to data from the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange. This problem can also occur with patient portals. A patient may have one portal for their primary care physician, as well as two more for their optometrist and dermatologist.

Do standalone PHRs require patients to take the initiative to engage their providers?

Although standalone PHRs still require patients to take the initiative to involve their providers with the technology, tethered PHRs/patient portals allow the patient to interact with the provider. PHRS, PATIENT PORTALS, AND INTEROPERABILITY HURDLES.

What is a personal health record?

A personal health record is simply a collection of information about your health. If you have a shot record or a folder of medical papers, you already have a basic personal health record.

What information goes into a PHR?

In general, your PHR needs to include anything that helps you and your doctors manage your health — starting with the basics:

PHRs, EHRs and patient portals

PHRs are not the same as electronic health records (EHRs), also called electronic medical records (EMRs), which are owned and maintained by doctors' offices, hospitals or health insurance plans.

What are the benefits of a PHR?

Having a PHR can be a lifesaver, literally. In an emergency you can quickly give first responders vital information, such as diseases you're being treated for, medications you take, drug allergies, and contact information for your doctor.

Are there drawbacks to PHRs?

Building a complete health record takes some time. You have to collect and enter all your health information. Only a minority of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and insurance companies can send information electronically to a PHR that isn't part of a patient portal.

Will my information be kept private?

Perhaps the most common concerns about PHRs are about privacy and security. To address these issues, reputable PHR systems follow industry best practices, such as making their privacy policies public and submitting to monitoring by independent organizations.

How do I get started?

If your primary care doctor offers a patient portal, use it. The staff at the front desk should be able to tell you how to register for it. (If your doctor doesn't offer one, ask if one will be available in the future.) Then start taking advantage of its features. Most portals offer the following:

Why are personal health records important?

Personal health records (PHRs) have been mandated to be made available to patients to provide increased access to medical care information, encourage participation in healthcare decision making, and enable correction of errors within medical records. The purpose of this study was to analyze the usefulness of PHRs from the perspectives ...

How does trust between patients and physicians work?

Trust between patients and physicians would be tested through the use of PHRs. Patients must trust that their physicians will provide the best, most cost-efficient advice. Likewise, providers must trust patients to enter appropriate changes in the PHR.

What is the purpose of the EHR Act?

This act mandated that EHRs should operate reciprocally throughout the nation's healthcare system and be used in a meaningful manner.6MU, which has three stages of objectives, emphasized the use of EHRs to improve quality, safety, efficiency, and health inequality.

Why is PHR important?

Utilization of PHRs can be beneficial because it allows for the correction of errors in medical records and gives patients access to the information to share with other providers. Conversely, each provider may have a different system, thereby making patient utilization difficult.

What is a PHR?

Personal health records (PHRs), in conjunction with EHRs, are new technological tools that have promoted patients' participation in their healthcare decisions, correction of medical record errors, and increased access to medical care.2. For many years, patients have kept paper copies of their medical records, but with this new technology, ...

Is a PHR connected to an EHR?

Conversely, untethered PHRs are not connected with EHRs.12The use of tethered PHRs has been seen as beneficial because it allows communication between patients and physicians.13PHRs have been advantageous for the correction of errors, such as those in medication lists, which has been seen as useful by physicians.14.

How do patient portals empower consumers?

When used effectively, patient portals can empower consumers by enabling active management of their own care. However, we know little about how patient portal use fits into the broader personal health information management (PHIM) practices of various groups, such as older adults.

How old are Portal users?

Portal users ranged in age from 61 to 93 years , and most lived independently in a private residence (60%) and had college education or higher (67%). Although portal nonusers were similar in age, fewer were college educated (53%) and more lived in retirement or assisted living facilities (74%).

Why is it important to understand consumer health information?

Important to the success of the consumer health movement is accurate, accessible, and understandable health information to assist with treatment and health decisions . Older adults are the largest consumers of health care and expend the greatest proportion of US health care dollars.

What can a patient record?

The patient can: Record current medications, supplements, their dosage and period of intake. View medications and supplements that were used in the past. View immunizations taken right from birth and therapies undergone till date. Manage health vitals such as weight, height, blood pressure and blood sugar; record the data periodically ...

What is ChARM PHR?

ChARM PHR is a Personal Health Record (PHR) portal to manage health information of patients, for themselves and their families. Patients can store their current and past medications, lab results, record health vitals and track progress using the built-in reports.

Can patients request appointments with their care team?

Patients can request appointments with their care team, which gets securely notified to the physician’s ChARM EHR account. When the physician confirms the appointments, and shares pre-appointment questionnaires, patients can fill them up from their PHR account, so that the physician can know about the patient’s health information better, ...

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What Is A Personal Health Record?

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A personal health record (PHR) is any compilation of patient medical records that the patient maintains. A manila folder containing lab results, paper medical records, imaging, and family history can be considered a PHR, although more tech-savvy methods have emerged over the past few decades. According tothe Mayo Clinic, …
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What Is A Patient Portal?

  • Patient portals are distinct from PHRs because they are tethered to the clinician-facing EHR. Most EHR vendors sell patient portals as a part of the overall software suite, and patient portals came to prominence as a part of meaningful use requirements. Patient portals, like PHRs, facilitate patient data access by granting patients unfettered access to their labs, results, and, as of sprin…
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Comparing Phrs Versus Patient Portals

  • PHRs and patient portals generally accomplish the same goals: they facilitate patient data access, which some experts say can help boost patient engagement. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, patient data access can also help consumers navigate everyday life; they offer quick access to vaccination records or COVID-19 test results. That begs the question: should patients have a PH…
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Is The Time Ripe For Patient Data Access?

  • Regardless of the medium, some experts say healthcare is entering an age of patient data access. As the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the nation, patients became more curious about their health. That curiosity, coupled with the care delays prompted by the initial pandemic shutdowns, brought many to explore where they are with their health, wellness, and preventive services—something t…
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