Question

describe the differences between a PHR and a patient portal

Answer 1

The PHR (Personal Health Record) is specific to the patient, which may be controlled by an individual or the family and this may not be related to any doctor or clinic. This may or may not be tethered. The data or information from the PHR can be shared after the consent from the patient. Whereas, a patient portal is an extended form of any Health Care system (Electronic health record or Electronic medical records) and information from these systems are taken to present on the patient portal. The portal can be accessed by the patient by having a secured login ID and password, to review his clinical details. This portal can be used in many ways, such as booking Doctor’s appointment, sharing details, sending mails or messages to the concerned clinics or doctors. This is an easy out for a patient as the patient portal is connected with the centralized Health Care System. The advantage of having PHR are such as patient themselves manage their health records by having more awareness on lab reports with having full access and control on his complete medical records. As the details are self managed hence the patient details will be accurate. Whereas, a patient portal makes easy to book appointments with labs, clinics, doctors. Communication becomes direct and easy. The patient data segregation becomes easy based in the type of clinical requirements or diseases.