The Different Types of Personal Health Records

The healthcare industry these days is looking towards the Personal Health Records (PHR) with an increased frequency due to the myriad associated benefits. Personal Health Records can be of different types based upon the differences in associated maintenance. They are divided into three different types namely,

Ø  Institution-supported records

Ø  Self maintained records

Ø  Linked records

The institution supported PHR may include either different test results or services as prescription refills or making appointments. In this kind of arrangement sometimes even, the clients may enter information within clinical records after getting express permission to do the same. Self maintained records as the name indicates signifying that the consumer is responsible for entering the relevant information.

Here the useful is associated with a record to the healthcare provider or the consumer depends directly upon consumer knowledge levels. This kind of self-maintained PHR online varies both associated services, access levels, and information contained. Sometimes, the healthcare provider may be able to access the information presented by using the PIN number provided by the client. However, in other cases only printing of the records may be allowed.

Naturally, there are certain challenges associated with such self-maintained PHR. Here the consumer has to enter, obtain, and remember the information entered as well as understand it thoroughly. Finally, the linked Personal HealthRecords combine the features of institutional model and the self-maintained one adding additional functionality is in the process. Here again the consumers will enter the relevant information but they can source it from home devices as BP monitors, healthcare providers, and pharmacies.