Articles
Personal health records and patient portals
PHRs, EHRs and patient portals
What are the benefits of a PHR?
Are there drawbacks to PHRs?
How do I get started?
Content
What is a personal health record?
What information goes into a PHR?
Personal health records, electronic health records and patient portals
Medical ID for emergencies
What can a personal health record do for you?
Are there downsides to personal health records?
Will my information be kept private?
How do I start?
What are the benefits of a PHR?
Are there drawbacks to PHRs?
How do I get started?
Content
What is a personal health record?
What information goes into a PHR?
Personal health records, electronic health records and patient portals
Medical ID for emergencies
What can a personal health record do for you?
Are there downsides to personal health records?
Will my information be kept private?
How do I start?
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:
- Appointment reminders
- Medication list
- Appointment summaries, sometimes with associated educational material
- Secure messaging with your provider
- Test results
