Why Do I Need a Personal Health Care Record?

A PHR DOES IS THE FOLLOWING…

• is a snapshot of your medical status and history and reflects what is normal for you.

• allows you to convey your medical history and status to your health care providers efficiently.   The more concise your reporting, the better your needs can be met and tailored for treatment. The doctor now has a larger picture and knows who his team players are.

• can help with tracking long-term changes in your health and facilitate timely access to needed medical interventions/treatments.

• can provide information in situations where you are not able advocate or make medical decisions for yourself, such as an emergency room visit.  Also, a PHR can help you remember and tract your medical treatments and decisions.

• is a tool that you can use to keep your medication list current, track all upcoming tests, labs, appointments, and procedures, and it can be used as a record for all recent results from these activities.

• provides for ease of access.  All your information is compiled in one file.

• can be used to track dietary needs, prescription refills and any needed supplements.

• if legal action is needed, the information is already complied.

• allows an area for you to keep information such as a DNR, Power of Attorney, medication allergies.

• may help prevent unnecessary or duplicate testing, thus saving time and money.

• stores medical information clearly that can help facilitate a continuity of care, track health progress, identify areas of risk and provides clear communication so that patient, family, and medical providers are on the same page.