Patient Portals Vs. Personal Health Records

Are you frustrated and overwhelmed by the thought of missing important information or dealing with the complexities of traditional health record-keeping? Well, worry no more! The digital revolution has brought a new era of convenience and efficiency with patient portals and personal health records (PHRs). These innovative systems have entirely transformed how you access and control your health data. However, it's crucial to grasp the fundamental distinctions between these systems, evaluate their advantages and disadvantages, and choose the system that best aligns with your specific needs. In this article, let's dive into the differences between patient portals and personal health records, examine their pros and cons, and equip yourself with the knowledge to adopt the perfect system for your healthcare journey.

Differences in Patient Portals and Personal Health Records (PHR)

It can be challenging to differentiate between patient portals and PHRs. This is because both tools offer similar features. This section will explore and highlight the distinctions between both of these platforms.

What Is a Patient Portal?

A patient portal is an online platform provided by healthcare organizations that allow you to access your medical information, communicate with the medical professional and engage in various healthcare-related activities. It’s typically connected to the healthcare provider's Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, where your medical records are maintained by healthcare providers, hospitals, and other healthcare organizations. The patient portal focuses on facilitating communication and engagement between patients and healthcare professionals, promoting convenience and collaboration.

What Is A Personal Health Record?

On the other hand, a personal health record (PHR) is a digital collection of your health information managed by yourself. It’s a comprehensive record that compiles your medical history or other health-related data in one platform. PHRs can be stored and managed through various means, such as online platforms, mobile apps, or personal health tracking devices. Unlike patient portals, PHRs are not directly connected to healthcare provider systems, giving you more control over your medical records. You can add, modify, and manage your data in a PHR, allowing for a more personalized and comprehensive view of your health.

Why is It Important to Manage Your Health Data?

Taking an active role in managing your health data is crucial for informed decision-making, precision care, and improved health outcomes. The daily volume of medical data health providers handle poses the risk of errors or neglect. Tracking your medical records helps identify mistakes early on and ensures prompt correction, reducing the risk of complications. Besides that, knowing your medications, allergies, and pre-existing conditions is vital a vital part of monitoring your health, especially in case of emergencies. It enables medical professionals to quickly and accurately assess your medical needs, ensuring that the appropriate treatments and interventions are administered within a shorter time frame. It also empowers you to make informed decisions, effectively communicate with healthcare providers, and promote your overall well-being. Ultimately, taking charge of your health data contributes to a safer, more personalized, and more efficient healthcare experience.

What Information Goes into Patient Portals and Personal Health Records?

Patient portals and PHRs contain a wide range of information about your health and medical history. The exact content may vary depending on the healthcare organization and the capabilities of the specific portal or PHR system. However, here are some common types of information that are typically included:

• ‍Medical History

A comprehensive health record includes a detailed overview of your medical conditions, covering diagnosis, treatments, medications, surgeries, and past hospitalizations. It provides a complete picture of your health history for better continuity of care.

• ‍Laboratory and Diagnostic Test Results

Both systems also often provide access to lab test results, such as blood tests, urine tests, imaging reports (X-rays, MRIs and more), pathology reports, and other diagnostic tests. These results are typically presented in a format that patients can easily understand.

• ‍Medications

Medication information is an essential component of patient portals and PHRs. It commonly includes a comprehensive list of current medications, along with dosage instructions, prescribing healthcare provider information, and medication history. It may also allow you to request medication refills or view prescription statuses.

• ‍Immunization Records

Patient portals and PHRs also include a comprehensive record of your immunizations. This record typically encompasses essential details such as the type of vaccine received, the date it was administered, and any booster shots that have been given.

• ‍Allergies and Adverse Reactions

When using the platforms, it’s common to include information about your allergies, sensitivities, and adverse reactions to medications, foods, or other substances. For example, if you have an allergy to peanuts or shellfish, a sensitivity to fragrances, or experience adverse reactions to certain environmental factors, you can have this information documented in your patient portal or PHR.

• ‍Educational Resources

Certain systems may provide access to various educational materials, including articles, videos, or links to trusted health resources. This feature aims to empower you by offering relevant and reliable health information directly within the patient portal or PHR system. These systems enable you to expand your knowledge about various health topics, conditions, treatments, and preventive care.

Patient portals and Personal Health Records (PHRs) have emerged as valuable tools in the healthcare industry. These digital platforms offer a range of benefits and conveniences for both patients and healthcare providers. However, they also come with their own set of challenges and considerations. We will explore the pros and cons of both patient portals and PHRs, highlighting the advantages they bring in terms of communication, access to health information, and patient empowerment, as well as the potential drawbacks and concerns that need to be addressed. By understanding these aspects, we can gain a comprehensive perspective on the impact and implications of these digital healthcare solutions.

Pros & Cons of Patient Portals

Patient portals in the healthcare industry offer valuable advantages such as enhanced communication, streamlined administrative tasks, and 24/7 access to health information. However, they also present challenges such as opt-in difficulties and disparities in access, highlighting the need for a balanced assessment of their pros and cons.

What Are the Pros of Patient Portals?

The following are the pros of patient portals:

• ‍Easier Communication and Access for Doctors and Caregivers

Patient portals provide convenient communication channels between you and your healthcare providers. Through the portal, you can effortlessly send messages to your doctors and caregivers, receiving prompt responses that save you time and effort. This feature eliminates the need for lengthy phone calls or in-person visits, making it especially user-friendly for patients with bus schedules or limited mobility. Consequently, medical professionals gain quicker access to your information through the portal, enabling them to deliver better and more efficient care.

• Streamline Patient & Doctor Appointment Tasks

‍This system also benefits you with a simplified way to handle administrative tasks related to appointments, offering convenient features and functionalities. With these portals, you can easily schedule appointments online and complete the necessary forms before your visit. This streamlined process not only saves your time during clinic visits, but also relieves healthcare staff of administrative burdens, resulting in a smoother workflow.

• Patients Have 24/7 Access to Their Health Information

Patient portals offer the advantage of granting you unrestricted access to your health information 24/7, regardless of your location. This means that you can easily review your test results, treatment plans, and track your progress at any time that suits you. By providing this level of accessibility, patient portals promote patient engagement and empower you to take an active role in managing your health.

• Easier For Patient to Organize Their Tim

Besides that, it also provides an intuitive solution for you to effectively organize your healthcare schedules, granting you greater control over your time management. Through these portals, you can easily view your upcoming appointments and receive timely reminders via email. This flexibility enables you to take charge of your time, significantly reducing the likelihood of missed appointments or delays in seeking necessary care.

What Are the Cons of Patient Portals?

While patient portals offer numerous benefits, knowing their potential drawbacks is important. Here are some of the disadvantages associated with these systems:

• ‍Difficulty For Patient to Opt-In to A New System

You may encounter various difficulties when you are required to opt-in to a new patient portal system. These challenges can include navigating complex registration processes, providing sensitive personal information, and adapting to unfamiliar user interfaces. For instance, you may need to familiarize yourself with the portal's menu options, search functionalities, and ways to view and interpret your health information, such as test results or medication lists, which can take some time to get used to.

• Disparities and Challenges in Patient Portal Usage

The disadvantages of patient portal platforms can arise from disparities in patient experience when using the portals. For example, if you have limited access to the internet or lack familiarity with digital tools, you may face challenges in using patient portals effectively. This can result in incomplete or inaccurate health records, as well as difficulties in engaging with your healthcare information. Additionally, if you have low health literacy or face language barriers, understanding and navigating the features of patient portals may be more challenging for you. These barriers can further intensify existing disparities in healthcare access.

Pros & Cons of Personal Health Records

Similar to patient portals, PHRs have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let's delve into the pros and cons of Personal Health Records in more detail.

What Are the Pros of Personal Health Records?

Let's first explore the advantages of PHRs:

• ‍Easier Communication Between Patients and Health Professionals

PHRs offer a significant advantage by simplifying communication and collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals. By using a PHR platform such as Jonda, you can experience seamless and secure communication with your physicians, nurses, or specialists. It allows you to share and collaborate on your healthcare in real-time. When you need to share information with your physician, just authorise with a single click of a button and a secure time-sensitive link is conveniently sent directly to their inbox. This eliminates the need for in-person collection of health records, reduces out-of-pocket costs, and minimizes delays in receiving timely treatment.

• ‍Provide Patients with In-Depth Knowledge of Their Personal Health Conditions

PHRs empower you with comprehensive information about your health conditions. You can gain a deeper understanding of your health by having access to your medical records, lab results, and imaging reports. For example, if you have a chronic condition like asthma, you can review your past flare-ups, track your lung function test results, and identify triggers that worsen your symptoms. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions about your healthcare and take proactive measures to manage your asthma effectively.

• ‍Easier For Patient to Track Their Health Progress

Besides that, you can easily track your health progress over time using PHRs.  One of the powerful features of PHRs is the ability to monitor biomarkers through interactive time-series graphs, presenting your data in a structured and easily understandable format. For example, you can effortlessly track biomarkers such as white blood cell count or heart rate. By recording these biomarkers regularly and inputting the data into your PHR, you can visualise your health trends and patterns through intuitive time-series graphs. This functionality is particularly valuable in effectively managing signs of diseases like white blood cell abnormalities and heart disease symptoms.

• ‍Records Can Be Shared with Multiple Health Professionals

PHRs offer a secure means of sharing your health records with different healthcare providers involved in your care. Unlike portals limited to specific clinics or organizations, a PHR is a comprehensive platform where you can store and share your medical data from various sources regardless of location. With the PHR platform, you can compile all your medical information in one place, which ensures that relevant data is readily available, enhancing care coordination and minimizing the need for repetitive tests or redundant documentation. This seamless information sharing facilitates accurate diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and a smoother healthcare journey.

What Are the Cons of Personal Health Records?

There are also potential challenges that you should be aware of when using PHRs:

Incorrect Information Being Placed in The PHR By Patients

Since PHRs rely on patient input, there is a risk of incorrect or incomplete information being recorded. As a patient, you may unintentionally misinterpret medical terms or omit relevant details, which can lead to inaccuracies in your health record. It's important to actively engage healthcare during the record-keeping process to validate the information you provide and ensure its accuracy to avoid any potential risks or misunderstandings. Nonetheless, having control over your own health information through PHRs can be empowering. You’re not entirely relying on doctors or any health organization, enabling you to make informed decisions and actively engage in your healthcare journey.

How to Choose the Right System for Your Health Needs?

When it comes to managing your health information, choosing the right system that suits your needs is essential. Here are some factors to consider when deciding between a patient portal and a PHR system:

A Patient Portal Is a Better Option If:

• ‍You Prefer a Streamlined Interface

Patient portals typically offer a user-friendly interface designed specifically for accessing and managing medical information. This system is created to provide easy access to your medical information straightforwardly. A patient portal may be the better choice if you value simplicity and ease of use.

• ‍You Seek Direct Access to Healthcare Providers

Patient portals often provide a direct channel of communication with your healthcare providers. This feature lets you directly message them, request prescription refills, schedule appointments, and receive timely responses, enhancing the convenience of healthcare interactions.

• ‍You Value Integration with Your Healthcare Provider's System

As mentioned before, patient portals are linked to EHR systems used by healthcare providers. This integration allows for seamless information sharing between you and your healthcare team, promoting better coordination of care and reducing the chances of errors or missing data.

A Personal Health Record Is a Better Option If:

• ‍You Desire More Comprehensive Control Over Your Health Data

PHRs applications provide a broader scope for storing and managing health information. A PHR can accommodate your needs if you prefer the flexibility to add information beyond what is typically available through healthcare providers.

• ‍You Have Multiple Healthcare Providers or Specialists‍

PHRs allow you to compile all your health records from various healthcare providers or specialists in one platform. This eliminates the need for duplicating tests, procedures, or medical history, as all relevant information is readily accessible.

• ‍You prioritise Privacy and Security‍

This application often has robust security measures to protect your personal health information. Encryption, secure login credentials, and strict privacy policies are typically implemented to safeguard your data. If privacy and security are important factors for you, a PHR can provide peace of mind knowing your health information is protected.

Patient portals and PHRs offer a streamlined approach to fulfilling your health needs. Multiple healthcare professionals can utilise both records to track a patient's progress. It’s important for you to carefully evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each option to determine which best aligns with your specific needs.

Key Takeaways:

Below are the important key takeaways from this article.

• Patient portals and PHRs offer convenient and efficient ways to access and manage your health information. Understanding the differences between these systems is crucial in making an informed decision that aligns with your specific requirements.

• Patient portals are typically provided by healthcare organizations and are connected to EHR systems. They focus on facilitating communication and engagement between patients and healthcare professionals, promoting convenience and collaboration.

• On the other hand, PHRs are personal digital collections of health information managed by individuals. They provide more control over your medical records, allowing for a personalized and comprehensive view of your health.

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When deciding between a patient portal and a PHR, it's important to carefully consider your needs. If you prefer a PHR, you might want to explore Jonda app. Jonda offers a range of features to help you effectively manage your health information. With Jonda, you can conveniently organize and access your health data, and securely share it with healthcare providers when necessary. 

To learn more about Jonda and its features, visit this page. Jonda app is available for download on both iOS and Android.

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Reference:

1. Sarwal D. Personal health record. Stat Pearls - NCBI Bookshelf. Published October 17, 2022. Accessed December 28, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557757/.

2. Han HR, Gleason K, Sun CA, et al. Using patient portals to improve patient outcomes: Systematic review. JMIR Human Factors. 2019;6(4):e15038. doi:10.2196/15038