An Overview of EMRs and PHRs, Their Contents, Benefits and Limitations

Digital Health and Medical Patient Record Keeping Systems

Electronic records kept by your doctor's office, your insurance company or the facilities where you are a patient, are called EHRs (electronic health records) or EMRs (electronic medical records.) Both names are used interchangeably.

There are also digital record systems that you can keep yourself called PHRs (personal health records.) Among them you'll find online storage systems that are free or subscription-type services, or systems you may keep on your own computer or a separate hard drive.

Hybrid digital systems that get shared among or between patients, doctors, facilities and insurance companies are also in use or being developed.

Systems like these have been in use in a variety of forms for 20 years or more. They continue to evolve as technology advances, and as both professionals and patients embrace the benefits which include more efficient care and patient safety.

Records of all kinds are kept. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control define a complete EMR system as one that contains four basic functions: computerized orders for prescriptions, computerized orders for tests, reporting of test results, and physician notes. Your doctor may keep more types of records, or may not keep this complete series of records.

As an empowered patient, you will want to understand the benefits, differences and concerns about each. It is entirely possible your records will be stored in more than one form of access system. Understanding how they are being kept and shared will help you control how they are used.

Some problems exist with electronic medical records. The cost of implementation, the lack of standards, and concerns about privacy and security keep EMRs from being more generally adopted across the US.

Learn More:

• What is an EMR (Electronic Medical Record)?
• What is a PHR (Personal Health Record)?
• What is an EMR / PHR Hybrid System?
• The History of EMRs and PHRs
• The Benefits of Using Electronic Medical Records or Personal Health Records
• What Records are Kept in an EMR or PHR?
• A Lack of Standards Limit the Use of Electronic Medical Record Keeping Systems
• Limitations of the Use of Electronic Medical Records Due to Privacy and Security Concerns