Personal health records.
Nationwide, momentum is growing to provide patients with computer tools called personal health records (PHRs). These allow patients to participate in their own healthcare management by viewing, editing, or discussing their own medical data. Historically, PHRs targeted consumers, but contemporary PHRs are increasingly aimed at providers and payers. This article reviews the types of PHRs that are currently available, discusses the PHR functionalities that offer the best value for a medical practice, and provides strategies for making purchasing decisions.
Decision Systems Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital, USA. zkimmel@dsg.harvard.edu
Zebadiah
Z
Kimmel
Robert A
RA
Greenes
Eric
E
Liederman
D000555:Ambulatory Care Information Systems; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D008498:Medical Record Linkage; D008499:Medical Records / Q000145:classification*; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D033283:Patient Access to Records / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010358:Patient Participation; D011216:Practice Management, Medical; D014481:United States