What is a personal health record (PHR)?

What is a personal health record (PHR)?

A personal health record is in general understood to be a collection of details about an individual's health or health care services, such as hospitalizations, doctor visits, medications (prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs), allergies and other medical situation that can be stored on the individual's behalf for as long as he or she desires. There are many types of PHR’s - a few are on paper and a few are electronic. Some are provided by health plans, employers or health care providers, while others are got by the individual from a PHR vendor. Some PHR’s are pre-populated with certain details, while others want that the individual enter all of the information. PHR tools may allow the individual to look up information about their own medications and conditions and to administer their own health care by providing tips on diet and exercise. PHR’s can also be used to track the health history of family members, together with illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, lab tests, medications etc. The individual is in charge of his or her own PHR and controls who is able to see the information it includes.

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