What information is contained in a Personal Health Record (PHR)?

A Personal Health Record (PHR) serves as a comprehensive and individualized collection of health information. It is designed to empower patients by enabling them to take an active role in managing their own health. This record typically includes data from various healthcare providers as well as self-entered information by the patient.

The integration of provider data ensures that the PHR reflects a complete picture of the patient's health history, encompassing medications, allergies, immunizations, lab results, and treatment plans. Self-entered patient information might include things like symptoms, lifestyle choices, and personal health goals, enhancing the record with insights that may not be captured by healthcare providers alone.

This combination of both professional and personal data makes the PHR a valuable tool for managing health proactively and facilitating communication between patients and their healthcare providers. It is significantly more comprehensive than just electronic medical records, insurance claims, or a limited focus on past diagnoses. The PHR's holistic approach to capturing health information is why it is vital for effective healthcare management and patient engagement.