what are the advantages of a personal health record over a patient portal?

by Lenna Skiles 6 min read

What are the benefits of personal health records? - Office …

3 hours ago  · Personal Health Records: Improving Health Care Quality. Personal health records ( PHR s) can help your patients better manage their care. Having important health information – such as immunization records, lab results, and screening due dates – in electronic form makes it easy for patients to update and share their records. PHR s can: >> Go To The Portal


The Portal is controlled by the source system (EMR/EHR/Hospital). On the other hand, the Personal Health Record (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 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).

Personal health records ( PHR s) can help your patients better manage their care. Having important health information – such as immunization records, lab results, and screening due dates – in electronic form makes it easy for patients to update and share their records.Mar 3, 2016

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Why are personal health records required to be available to patients?

 · Personal Health Records: Improving Health Care Quality. Personal health records ( PHR s) can help your patients better manage their care. Having important health information – such as immunization records, lab results, and screening due dates – in electronic form makes it easy for patients to update and share their records. PHR s can:

Can patient portals and personal health records drive patient engagement?

A personal health record (PHR) is an electronic application developed and maintained by patients to maintain and manage their health information in a private, secure, and confidential environment. 1. Independent PHRs aren't associated with the electronic health record (EHR). 2 Independent PHRs can be printed, downloaded, or accessed via a tablet or smartphone for …

What are the benefits of a personal health record (PHR)?

5 Benefits of Having a Personal Health Record. The more involved you are in monitoring your own health, the better the results – that’s a fact. Many organizations and health practices have begun educating patients about their conditions and involving them more fully in making decisions about their care.

What are the health benefits of Physical Therapy Records?

 · 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.

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What are the advantages of personal health records?

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.

What are the major differences between a patient portal and a Personal Health Record PHR )?

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 portal the same as a personal health record?

A patient portal is a type of personal health record (PHR) that is connected to an electronic health record (EHR) system. Patient portals provide a secure website through which patients can access their clinical data.

What are disadvantages of patient portals?

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 is the purpose of 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: Recent doctor visits.

Which of the following is a disadvantage of paper personal health records?

Which of the following is a disadvantage of paper personal health records? A paper PHR may not be accessible in emergency cases.

What information can be accessed through a patient portal?

The features of patient portals may vary, but typically you can securely view and print portions of your medical record, including recent doctor visits, discharge summaries, medications, immunizations, allergies, and most lab results anytime and from anywhere you have Web access.

What is in a personal health record?

A personal health record (PHR) refers to the collection of an individual's medical documentation maintained by the individual themselves, or a caregiver, in cases where patients are unable to do so themselves. This personal information includes details such as: The patient's medical history. Applicable diagnoses.

Which of the following is a benefit of electronic health records EHR )?

The benefits of electronic health records include: Better health care by improving all aspects of patient care, including safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness, communication, education, timeliness, efficiency, and equity.

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..

Are patient portals effective?

Patient Portal Outputs Results of patient engagement were mixed: portals in some studies did not cause statistically significant improvement, but patients in other studies reported that portals enabled better engagement in their care.

What are the advantages of patient portals to the patient and to the healthcare facility quizlet?

The patient portal supports two-way communication, which allows the patient to work with physicians between patient visits, request appointments, and receive reminders. These reminders can be for appointments, need for follow-up, and more.

What is a personal health record?

A personal health record is an electronic application developed and maintained by patients to store and manage their health information in a private and secure environment. It differs from patient portals that are connected to patients' electronic health records and are usually associated with a healthcare institution or an insurance company.

Why are PHRs important?

PHRs are becoming more important in healthcare today due to a stronger emphasis on patient engagement, which can result in improved disease management and patient outcomes. 5 In addition, PHRs provide up-to-date information on patients' health conditions including allergies and surgeries. 1.

Why are patients reluctant to use PHRs?

Some patients are reluctant to adopt PHRs due to concerns about the security of their health information. 2 In a 2012 study, 82 urban youth ages 14 to 24 expressed concerns about privacy and confidentiality in electronic communication with providers. 17 A year later, breaches in EHR rose to 8.7%, but this wasn't considered statistically significant. 12 However, there are current policies and procedures in place by the federal government to address the privacy and security of EHRs. PHRs that are available through HCPs and insurance companies are protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). 2 Although other PHRs aren't covered by HIPAA, they're required to provide patients with the PHR Model Privacy Notice, which discusses the privacy and security policies of the PHR they're using. 19

How useful is a PHR?

PHRs are useful in many healthcare settings. Mrs. M, an unresponsive patient requiring mechanical ventilatory support, was transferred from the ED to the ICU. Her emergency information was available on her smartphone and was accessible to the healthcare team. Mrs. M's PHR contained information about her last visit to the ED. The information from her PHR allowed the medical staff to view her past health history including her surgeries, medications, and most important, Mrs. M's allergies. The ICU staff was able to determine that Mrs. M's HCPs included a primary care physician, cardiologist, and pulmonologist. Before Mrs. M's family arrived, the hospitalist and ICU nurses were able to institute appropriate lifesaving measures tailored to her specific health care needs.

What is a PHR?

A personal health record (PHR) is an electronic application developed and maintained by patients to maintain and manage their health information in a private, secure, and confidential environment. 1. Independent PHRs aren't associated with the electronic health record (EHR). 2 Independent PHRs can be printed, downloaded, ...

Why is it important to create a PHR?

It's important for patients of all ages to create PHRs, making updated information on immunizations, family histories, and health conditions accessible to HCPs. Many young adults have access to and frequently use technology. 17 However, familiarity with electronics doesn't necessarily lead to an increased use of PHRs. In one study of eight primary care sites, only 20.7% of patients under age 35 created PHRs, which was the lowest percentage of any age group. 7 Young adults may not realize the importance of maintaining a current up-to-date PHR. Educating younger adults on the importance of having a comprehensive health history, including medications and allergies, could increase the number of PHR users. In contrast, in the same study one-third of patients ages 60 to 69 were enrolled in a PHR, which was the highest percentage among all the age groups. 7 In addition, patients with chronic health problems, such as diabetes, have more medical office visits and a greater need to self-manage health issues. They're more likely to use PHRs. 7

Do low income patients have internet access?

Some low-income patients don't have Internet access at home. 12 However, in 2015, approximately 64% of Americans owned smartphones, which allows them online resources even without a home computer. 16 Many PHRs permit patients to download free apps for their smartphones so they can easily input information. 13 Most PHRs also have links to reliable patient education materials for patients to learn more about their health disorders. 13

What is personal health record?

Personal health records are essentially a comprehensive online health file containing a history of medical conditions and procedures, allergies, medications and immunizations. It keeps a detailed record of everything one could want to know in order to manage their health better. Chances are, you have a lot of different medical records.

Why is it important to update your PHR?

Regularly updating and monitoring your PHR will help ensure that the person that most needs it knows how to access it, what’s in it, and how to use it (that person would be you, just so we’re clear). Use your PHR to assist with decision-making when it comes to potential health conditions, treatment options, costs of treatment, management of chronic conditions, healthy lifestyle choices, preventive actions, and monitoring the accuracy and security of your health information.

Why use PHR?

Use your PHR to assist with decision-making when it comes to potential health conditions, treatment options, costs of treatment, management of chronic conditions, healthy lifestyle choices, preventive actions, and monitoring the accuracy and security of your health information.

What is a PHR?

A PHR is information about your health compiled and maintained by you (not to be confused with an electronic health record or electronic medical record (EHR and EMR, respectively) which are managed by the doctors and hospitals). Personal health records are essentially a comprehensive online health file containing a history ...

What is the biggest source of wasteful spending in healthcare?

One of the biggest sources of wasteful spending in healthcare is duplicate procedures. With a PHR, patients can provide doctors the information they need right away, rather than having to re-do a test.

How many people die from medical errors each year?

Each year between 210,000 patients die as a result of preventable medical mistakes, making medical errors the third-leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. When you manage your health records, you ensure that the information contained in their health record is accurate, up-to-date and inclusive.

Does PHR take a lot of work?

Yes, a PHR does take a little work. First, you have to collect and enter all your health information (which ADO Medical Records Assistance will help you do), then you have to keep your record current by updating it each time you see a doctor, fill a prescription, have a test or go to the hospital. But once everything is up and running, the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience.

How does a PHR help in healthcare?

PHRs have the potential to improve healthcare because they can engage the patient in healthcare decisions by connecting patients to their medical records and physicians through an electronic portal. Krist et al. (2014) conducted a study of eight medical practices that offered PHRs to patients between the ages of 18 and 75.23Of the 112,893 patients offered the PHR, 28,910 patients created an account. It took an average of 59.5 days for patients to create an account. Directly offering the PHR to patients was more effective than mailing invitations. More patients with chronic conditions signed up for a PHR than other patients, which was attributed to these patients' having more visits to the physician's office. One-third of patients aged 60 to 69 years created an account.24

Why are PHRs important?

The methodology of this qualitative study was a literature review using 34 articles. PHRs are powerful tools for patients and healthcare providers. Better healthcare results and correction of medical records have been shown to be positive outcomes of the use of PHRs . PHRs have also been shown to be difficult for patients to use and understand, and providers had concerns about correct information transferring to the portals and patients eliminating information from the record. Concerns regarding patient understanding of medical records, legal liability, and the response time required of providers were also identified. For the PHR to succeed in the US healthcare system, assurance that the information will be protected, useful, and easily accessed is necessary.

How did PHRs become well known?

PHRs became well known through the Meaningful Use (MU) mandate5supported by the HITECH 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. PHRs were optional in MU stage 1, and then MU stage 2 mandated that PHRs be offered to patients by their providers. MU stage 3 has an objective to improve health outcomes through quality, safety, efficiency, and access to PHRs as a health management tool.7PHRs were included in the second stage under the objective of commissioning patients and their families to be involved in their healthcare.8Patients who have accessed their medical records have reported a broader knowledge base of their own health concerns, the ability to communicate more effectively with their physicians, initiation of efforts to improve their health, and decreased utilization of healthcare services.9PHRs can help make patients aware of their health conditions, which could initiate changes in their healthcare plan.10

What are the barriers to EHR adoption?

Environmental barriers, including capital intensity and market forces also have impacted both EHR and PHR adoption. An associated difficulty is that EHRs must not only exist in individual offices and hospitals facilities but must also be able to communicate with PHRs.25In a study from the Library Association/National Library of Medicine, Joint Electronic Personal Health Record Task Force was reported that in only 26 percent of the 91 PHR products analyzed were integrated with EHR, 11 percent were both integrated and standalone and 54 percent were stand-alone only.26Wang and Biedermann (2012), identified four groups of barriers that would hinder the implementation of EHRs in provider offices were identified. Table ​Table11displays that the lack of capital resources has been an obstacle that has inhibited the use of EHRs.27

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.

Why are providers concerned about the potential for legal liability?

They are concerned about information provided by patients being placed in the EHR, which has the potential to happen because of interoperability between systems. Providers have questioned whether patient-entered information should be taken into consideration when making medical decisions.15Specific groups of patients are protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Concerns have been raised regarding the protection of sexual health information of adolescents and the need for a proxy to access PHRs.16Patients with HIV have also posed challenges because of the need for special protection of the privacy of medical records.17The full potential of PHRs, the challenges of implementation, and the best approaches to these complex issues remain to be determined.18

Who conducted a study of 338 mental health clinic patients on the use of PHRs?

Hilton et al. (2012) conducted a study of 338 mental health clinic patients on the use of PHRs.30This study compared patients who had mental health and substance use issues and patients without these issues. Training was provided regarding PHR use, and patients with mental health or substance use problems benefited from the training, whereas those without the conditions did not. The study found that patients who had some experience using computers had a more beneficial experience than those who did not).31

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 are the issues with PHRs?

Both standalone and tethered PHRs present issues with patient-generated health data. Providers express trust issues with PGHD, stating that potentially inaccurate patient data can inform a detrimental treatment plan.

What is patient data management?

Patient data management is the major distinguishing factor associated with standalone PHRs. The system is entirely patient-controlled, and providers can only view the data when their patients provide them access.

How does PHR help patients?

Other studies have also indicated that patient data access via PHR or patient portal can help improve outcomes. Patients who can review and revise clinician notes can see better patient safety outcomes, for example.

Why did Google Health die?

While there were multiple factors that may have led to Google Health’s demise, limited provider interaction with the data and few motivational components were arguably most significant.

What are health IT developers working on?

Health IT developers are working on overcoming these interoperability barriers.Some vendors, such as Epic Systems, have made significant progress integrating patient portal information from multiple providers.

Why are patient portals important?

Patient portals have already been shown to be powerful tools for increasing patient engagement and empowerment. One report from AHIMA found that patients who access health information via portals or PHRs:

What is a patient portal?

Patient portals are secure websites or apps that allow patients access around the clock to their personal health information over an internet connection. Each patient will have a separate secure username and password, and those can be used to see a wide range of information including: Notes from recent office visits.

How does PHR help clinicians?

The PHR can benefit clinicians in many ways. First, patients entering data into their health records can elect to submit the data into their clinicians' EHRs. Having more data helps clinicians to make better decisions. The PHR may also become a conduit for improved sharing of medical records. Patients who are more engaged in their health are more active participants in the therapeutic alliance, for example, when patients with chronic conditions collaboratively manage their illnesses with clinicians to reduce pain, improve functional outcomes, and improve medication adherence. Finally, asynchronous, PHR-mediated electronic communication between patients and members of their health care teams can free clinicians from the limitations of telephone and face-to-face communication or improve the efficiency of such personal contacts. Notably, all the advantages of PHRs for providers depend on the PHR being integrated with the provider's EHR.

What is the difference between a PHR and an EHR?

By contrast, personal health record (PHR) systems have not received the same level of attention. While EHR systems function to serve the information needs of health care professionals, PHR systems capture health data entered by individuals and provide information related to the care of those individuals. Personal health records include tools to help individuals take a more active role in their own health. In part, PHRs represent a repository for patient data, but PHR systems can also include decision-support capabilities that can assist patients in managing chronic conditions. Most consumers and patients receive care from many health care providers, and consequently their health data are dispersed over many facilities' paper- and EHR-based record systems.1A fragmented system of storing and retrieving essential patient data impedes optimal care.

What happens if a PHR cannot exchange data?

If they cannot exchange data with other health care systems, PHRs will become “information islands” that contain subsets of patients' data, isolated from other information about patients, with limited access and transient value. As a result, integrated PHR systems will have to interoperate with other systems throughout the entire health information environment. At a minimum, PHRs must export data to and import data from other systems in a standardized way. More advanced PHRs will at some future time function as seamlessly integrated, interoperable “components” of other health systems.

What is subjective data in PHR?

Data within PHRs can be subjective or objective. ▶illustrates objective and subjective PHR data types by their potential source(s). Representative sources may include patient-entered data, home diagnostic equipment data, or data from the provider-maintained medical record. Subjective data may include symptom scores, qualitative descriptions of symptoms or medical problems, and responses to questionnaires.9These data would generally originate directly from the patient, although they might be collected either through the PHR or in a health care setting. The PHR should also capture objective data, such as blood pressure. These data might be measured and manually entered by the patient or transmitted directly from home-based monitoring devices. Blood pressure could also be measured in the clinician's office and transmitted electronically as part of a shared medical record. The system may acquire some data electronically from insurance claims or pharmacy records.

Why is PHR important?

In order to be useful to the patient, the PHR must present data and accompanying tools in ways that enable the individual to understand and to act on the information contained in the record. This is challenging because of patients' widely varying levels of general literacy and of health literacy.10For many individuals, health literacy may be more amenable to improvement than general literacy. For example, individuals may have little interest in understanding health-related terminologies or test results until they develop a chronic or life-threatening illness. Typically, such individuals then become more engaged in their health and attempt to understand a wider range of knowledge and information related to their disease processes. Both terminology and data presentation must be adapted to the individual using the PHR, so that they realize optimal benefits.

What are the roles of the federal government in PHR?

At the infrastructure level, the federal government could catalyze development and adoption of data and interchange standards for key PHR content areas. Relevant federal agencies such as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Library of Medicine should sponsor research to assess the clinical and health behavior benefits of PHRs.

What are the benefits of PHRs?

Potential benefits of PHRs to payers and purchasers of health care include lower chronic disease management costs, lower medication costs, and lower wellness program costs, although none of these has been well studied. The greatest area of benefit relates to the chronic disease management, where costs are typically high.14

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