Patients need to be informed about their health and make decisions ABOUT their health. PHR easily does that and much more! As a patient and a future nurse/advocate, I would recommend this to all my patients!!!

Everyone should have a copy of the PHR. You will better understand what is written regarding your health, because knowledge is power. The more knowledge you have on your personal health record the better you can communicate with your doctor, or better yet if you have to go to the specialists. I recently had to go to a Cardiologist who then referred me to a special Cardiologist who works in electric area and it sure would have been nice to see what was in my PHR because to this day I am not even sure of the name of the procedure I had done, because I did not ask the right questions. Thankfully it all turned out well but I am going to ask for a copy of my PHR for the future. I have learned to speak up now and ask questions if I don't understand.

PHR will benefit both patient and provider. With several family members, having chronic illness this will allow us to be empowered with our healthcare by giving us access to all information for review. No one is perfect, even with computers errors can happen but with the ability to review PHR we can help protect our families. Twice a family members medical record has contained documents from another patient, critical documents that created a life and death situation for both my family member and the patient who’s file did not contain this document as the document was a confirmation of cancer. The physician’s office called to schedule an urgent follow-up appointment; they wanted us to come in immediately. I questioned over the phone asking what test provoked this urgent appointment, when they informed me of specific labs I was able to tell them there had been no labs completed on my family member. After close review, they found the two patients had the same name with very close birthdates, even lived in the same town. With PHR I could review all information added to my family’s history verifying that it is indeed the information for my family.

I think a PHR is a must today. Gone are the days of the family physician. He brings you into the world and is there when you leave. We have too mobile a society. Most people have dozens of caregivers in their lives. Having a PHR makes sense. Years ago I created a basic index card with issues so if I were in an accident they would find it in my wallet if I was unable. This makes it so much easier. If we take responsibility for ourselves perhaps that will help reduce costs of healthcare. I had a very dear friend whose son had cerebral palsy and she didn't understand what the doctors were talking about. I went with her one time and saw she was confused as he was leaving and I grabbed the doctor by the arm and pulled him back and asked him to explain it better so she understood. (I didn't know he was the head of the department though) Having a PHR helps you and the health professional understand each other.

I am glad that people are getting on board with the PHR. We need to be in partnership with our physicians and take responsibility with our health and health needs. It gives the doctor the necessary information to help us and in some cases it can save lives. Because I am working on my health management degree, I hear a lot about PHRs, but this concept never comes up at my doctor’s office. The PHR is a great way to communicate our health history and empowers the doctor to give us quality care and treatment.

I recall helping my parents through their difficult final years and would become frustrated because they would not ask questions of their physicians. Thankfully, we have become more empowed regarding our health choices and health information. Opening the lines of communication between patient and physician is vital to quality care and trust.

Health care literacy is very important for making crucial decisions by both patient and health care provider but I have also realized that legible writing/documentation has more to play into the PHR than literacy. I understand that we, the patients need to take a more active role and feel empowered to ask for documentation regarding our records but if you can not read the documentation - something is wrong especially if other physicians cannot read it.

I called up our local SSS office and in fact went there personally and inquired if I be allowed a caregiver having to consider that I am a 72 year old male, suffering from COPD and relevant heart failures. SSS said that they do not have programs of this sort of requested as they don't have the budget this part of the country. What do I have to do when I know that California do have this sort of caregiver to help me out in my own home?