What is PHR?

The PHR, or Personal Health Record, is starting to catch on as a way for patients to improve the quality of their health care. It is a summary of your health history, including important health information such as immunizations, surgeries, and allergies. Having this information at your fingertips is obviously an advantage.

Another advantage of having and maintaining your PHR is that it makes you a "partner" in your health care. When patients are active partners they become part of the health care team, and contribute important information towards making the right decisions about their health. Patients who do this are much more likely to live longer, and have a better quality of life than those who do not take an active part. They also gain a better understanding about what makes their health better, such as preventive health practices, and avoiding high risk behaviors.

Federal law requires a doctor's office to provide a copy of a patient's medical record if asked (one time, for no charge). More patients are using technology to aid in this, by taking a photo of their health records with their cell phones. I will help you do this any time you want. The front page of my charts have the "Patient Data Base" which is a pretty good summary of each patient's health, and a very good start for your PHR. Another important part of your PHR is a family history, which should include any inherited diseases in your family, as well as a list of serious health problems in any of your immediate family members.

PHR encourages patients to "take ownership" of their records, and it's also a starting point to help them "take ownership" of their health!