Communication

Abstract

The portable health record (PHR) is recommended as modern resolution to the problems of fragmented communication and absence of inter-operability amongst diverse electronic medical record (EMR) systems. Portable health record allows the primary care provider to share health information about a patient with other health care professionals and institutions, including specialists, laboratories, and nursing homes to improve the safety and quality of health care, especially during emergency care. Portable health record support patient centered healthcare by making medical records and other relevant information accessible to patients, therefore assisting patients in health self-management. Patients can use PHRs in one of three formats: a provider-maintained digital summary of clinical information accessible to patients; a patient-owned software program that allows users to view and update their own health information; or portable, interoperable digital files with which patients can manage and transfer information. PHR also enable patients to refill prescriptions, access lab results, track immunizations, and schedule appointments. Electronic exchange of health information raises questions about policies and procedures concerning privacy, security, and identity management. Many health providers are unenthusiastic to give up discretion of their records, and many electronic medical record vendors have found the method of generating multifaceted processes to change one record to another to be expensive and time consuming. It is recommended that the application of existing legal and privacy provisions should be continuously addressed as PHRs develop. Because PHRs are developing health information technologies, the legal and privacy concerns concerning their use may change as technologies and their roles in health information technology more largely evolve.