Sept./Oct. | 2009
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Maintain a Personal Health Record

You can be a better partner in your health care decisions if you maintain a Personal Health Record. A PHR is a collection of all the important information you keep about your health. When you have this readily available for your doctor, more time can be spent focusing on diagnosing and treatment as opposed to gathering information.

Personal Health Record“It’s very important for people to maintain their own health records because you will be able to provide your physician with complete information about your medical condition.” Don't confuse a PHR with an Electronic Health Record.  The EHR is an electronic version of the medical care and treatment that a patient receives. It is managed and maintained by the healthcare provider. The Health System maintains EHRs for its patients.

Each member of your family should have a personal health record. The PHR is especially important if you travel, experience an emergency and/or when children go away to college. The format doesn’t matter - it can be paper documents, electronic documents on your personal computer or documents you create using tools available on the Internet. All of your health information should be in a single location and accessible when needed. 

“It’s very important for people to maintain their own health records because you will be able to provide your physician with complete information about your medical condition,” says Rose Marie Sitko, director, Health Data Quality Management, Health Information Management. “This will make you better prepared for doctor visits and help you be an active partner with your health care provider.”

With a PHR, you control the information and what your health care provider needs to know. You also maintain its privacy and security. 

Download a descriptive brochure, which is available from HIM and at some UMHS clinics. Information is also available on the HIM Web site or email HIM-ASK-US@med.umich.edu.You can also find information about PHRs at the American Health Information Management Association Web site.

Written by Bruce Spiher

Your PHR can include:

  • personal information
  • emergency contacts
  • information about your personal physicians, dentists and specialists
  • living wills, advance directives or medical power of attorney
  • a list of serious illnesses and surgical procedures
  • current medications and dosages, including vitamins or herbals
  • immunizations records
  • allergies or sensitivities
  • medical test results
  • eye and dental records
  • exercise routines
  • health insurance information
  • organ donor authorization

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