Relationship between Personal Health Record, Patient Engagement Safety & Quality
Relationship between Personal Health Record, Patient Engagement, Safety & Quality
Personal health records have been mandated so that
patients have access to their medical information, this encourages participation
and decision making. Included in the PHR are the following: (Sarwal et al,
2024). PHRs are the patient’s records giving the patient
ownership and control of health information that can be shared with electronic
health records (EHR).
- · Medical History
- ·
Diagnosis (past/present)
- ·
History of medications, over the counter
(OTC) & alternative medications
- ·
Past medical & surgical history
- ·
Immunization status
- ·
Allergies to foods/medications
- ·
Blood Type
- ·
Emergency contact
- ·
Insurance Information
- · Health care providers contact information
Having access to
PHR improves transparency, empowering patients to better understand their
medical conditions, recognize warning signs, and encourage informed decisions.
By reviewing their records, and personal health history and results of testing
patients can participate in making well informed healthcare decisions.
Utilization of healthcare services:
The use of personal health records (PHR) enables patients
to optimize their healthcare utilization by decreasing unnecessary doctor
visits and facilitating active participation in their care. Remote monitoring
tools may be utilized and integrated with PHRs allowing for continuous health
tracking, enabling early detection of potential concerns and reducing in office
visits. Enhanced collaboration and communication among healthcare providers through
shared access to patient records minimizes duplicate testing and ensures timely
interventions, improving efficiency and patient outcomes.
Communication between patients and nurse practitioner:
An accurate and well maintained PHR encourages accurate
and increased communication between patients and their healthcare providers. Patients
and their NP can securely message ongoing concerns, new symptoms or concerns
and questions. Patients can request medication refills, and report to NP any
complications with medications. Patients can schedule appointments and do self-check
in questionaries and forms to save time at appointments.
If a patient has a remote self-monitoring device, symptom
logs, readings, and information can be shared for real time treatment thus allowing
for the NP to adjust and treat accordingly.
Patients’ self-management of chronic disease:
Ongoing chronic disease management requires a patient’s
involvement to manage and provide feedback for further treatment and direction
by the NP. Patients can be empowered to promote
health using lifestyle changes and apps to assist in meeting goals. Patients
with chronic disease can effectively monitor their health and communicate with
healthcare providers through PHR and use of remote monitoring technologies. These tools can analyze and track progress
with many health-related conditions including weight, glucose, blood pressures,
calories, heart rate and rhythms to name a few. Patients can set timers as
reminders to take medications, assisting in overall health management and involvement
while timely communicating with their healthcare team if needed.
Remote monitoring:
- Enhances early detection of complications/concerns
- Reduces emergencies and hospital visits
- · Allows for real time adjustments and treatment plans
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Patients’ engagement in their healthcare decisions:
Patients who actively engage in their healthcare are
more likely to:
- Early Intervention
- Adhere to treatment plans
- Enhanced patient education
- Participate in shared decision making
- Advocating for their care increasing confidence
Access to PHR and Electronic health records (EHR) assist the patient in understanding their health condition, promote self-management, and empower the patient to participate in medical decisions. PHR allows patients access to records and increases communication with their healthcare providers, leading to informed decision making. PHR improves involvement and allows patients to track and record symptoms, lab results, and medication adherence leading to improved health outcomes (Alomar et al., 2024). Providing patients access to their personal health record encourages collaboration and communication resulting in improved health outcomes.
The integration of PHRs, remote monitoring tools, and telehealth services into patient care fosters communication, better engagement, improves safety, and enhances quality outcomes. By empowering patients with knowledge, streamlining communication with providers, and supporting self-management, PHRs serve as a vital tool in modern healthcare—transforming passive patients into active participants in their well-being.
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References:
Alomar D, Almashmoum M,
Eleftheriou I, Whelan P, Ainsworth J. (2024) The Impact of Patient Access to
Electronic Health Records on Health Care Engagement: Systematic Review. J
Med Internet Res: 26:e56473. doi: 10.2196/56473. PMID: 39566058
Defense Health Agency.
(n.d.) Electronic Devices. DHA Connected Health https://youtu.be/xmsYHsyyJdc?si=-Tig8l_IzUcg57RX
from YouTube, on March 17, 2025.
HarvardX. (2020, April 15). What is health
literacy? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmsYHsyyJdc
Health Recovery Solutions. (2021). What is Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and how does it reduce healthcare costs? YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW5tn31r3v8
Sarwal D, Gupta V.2024). Personal
Health Record. StatPearls Publishing; Retrieved on March 17, 2025, from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557757/
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Health literacy.
Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-literacy
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