| abstract
| - An Introduction to Personal Health–Care RecordsA personal health record is an electronic resource for medical information that allows consumers an health providers to view, adjust and add related information that is easily accessible and secure.1 The oldest electronic personal health record system was dated to 1999, and the most recent was introduced in 2005. Currently, there are many programs in developmental stages that are the future of electronic personal health records. In recent research articles, there are three main visions for electronic personal health records: the first is a provider–owned and provider–maintained electronic summery of patients' health information that can be made available to the patient. This type is a read–only file for patients, where the health provider can limit access to the health information. Patients can only view what the provider permits them to view. The second vision of personal health record is a patient–owned software program that is interactive with the patient. In addition, patients can retrieve and organize their personal health information, which helps address the patients' overall concerns. The last vision is a portable digital file that contains clinically relevant health data that can be transfered securely. For example, smart cards, personal digital assistants, and USB–compatible devices are some of the interventions available today. In 2006, many advances were made to better personal health records.1 In December 13, 2006 two large health insurance companies released a model for a portable web–based tool. the tool illustrates the consumers' insurance claim, immunization records, and any other vital health information. In addition, President of the United States Of America George W. Bush was pushed for electronic personal health records to be available to patients by the year 2014.2 An article published in the Journal of Health Affairs states the potential benefits of electronic personal health records.Some of the personal health record benefits are letting patients verify their health information, increasing patient–provider relationship, improvement of quality of care, more efficient delivery of health records, and decreasing malpractice cost. 2 In contrast, other large organizations are against the electronic health record system because it is time and financially consuming. According to the Markle Foundation, there are several disadvantages: the two main disadvantages are privacy and accuracy. In terms of privacy, 91% of Americans are concerned about their health records being private; however, some of the new electronic health data bases are addressing this issue by providing security features. In terms of accuracy, patients adjusting their own health records can decrease the accuracy of health information.2 Electronic personal health record are available to any provider, and many of the latest software available can be adjusted to the health care organization. The availability of personal health record can update patients about their health information; the real task is for the providers and patients to use the system correctly and safely. Although there are many advantages to this new technology, disadvantages are still looming. To efficiently use the health care system, the disadvantages must be addressed correctly. Both sides of the arguments has been presented and now it is the turn of the health care industry to decide.References 1.
* Scott Endsley M, MSc David C. Kibbe, MD, MBA Anthony Linares, MD Karen Colorafil, RN. An Introduction to Personal Health Records.2006.[1]Accessed February 16, 2008. 2.
* Markle Foundation. Connecting for Health: the personal health working group, final report. Available at:[2]Accessed February 16, 2008
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