Definition: Personal Health Record

By definition, a Personal Health Record is information maintained by an individual regarding their own medical and health conditions.

Historically managed as a physical file of paper and documents, today’s personal health records are also maintained electronically. Increasingly, however, many individuals choose to develop and maintain their personal health records via the Internet (using browser-based offerings) or using portable storage devices (including but not limited to: USB flash memory drives, smart cards, CD-ROM, or similar quasi-permanent storage vehicles).

Typically, a personal health record may include:

• History of illnesses, surgeries, or hospitalizations
   
• Current or past medications and prescriptions
   
• Allergies and known health issues
   
• Results from regular check ups
   
• Laboratory results
   
• Images of x-rays
   
• Family history 

Online personal health records are ideal for those who travel regularly, have a family, or care for individuals in distant geographic locations.

Many online personal health record solutions enable patients and doctors to communicate electronically, enabling healthcare professionals to upload information into a patient’s secure repository.

Interest in electronic or online personal health records continues to rise due to convenience, ability to selectively share information with other doctors and healthcare providers, and the availability of comprehensive health information in emergency situations. 

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