How Technology Advances Empower Personal Health Records

Abstract

Advanced Technology on Personal Health Record Introduction Technology advancement is changing all industries as it evolves. Healthcare proves to be among the industries where advances in technology have played a major role in enhancing efficiency and accuracy in almost all processes from patient registration to data monitoring and from lab tests to self-care tools, among others. However, it is important to note that only through consideration and application of the right technology that healthcare receives efficiency, reduced costs, and improved quality within their operations. Smartphones and tablets are replacing the conventional monitoring and recording systems within healthcare, whose impact on the efficiency of such operations cannot be ignored. Improved communication between patients and medical staff, reduced medical errors, access to medical information, and improved patient-centered care are among the major advantages of technology advancement in the health care center. As analyzed within this essay, personal health record aims to offer a deep understanding of the impact of technology advances on healthcare outcome. Personal health record proves a potential product of technological advancement within the healthcare sector whose application has enhanced efficiency and improved healthcare outcomes in a great manner. A simple description of a personal health record confirms that this tool serves as a collection of information about one’s health. It is a tool that enhances maintenance and management of the users’ health information in a secure, private and confidential environment (Vance et al., 2015). Unlike the electronic medical record (EMR) that is owned and stored by a patient's healthcare provider, a personal healthcare record (PHR) is a document that the patient is personally in charge of at all times. It is the responsibility of the patient to compile, update and keep a personal healthcare record that has experienced changes from paper documentation to electronic recording thanks to technological advances. A personal health record aids the patient in securing their health information and accessing it at any time, which enhances their healthcare outcomes in a great manner. PHR is a tool that provides a patient's health history, which can be used by the patient or a companion in case of emergencies to explain the victims’ health history, thus realize healthy remedies for one's health in a great manner. An effective online PHR works by creating a system of one’s choice and pulling the record on one's web-enabled to present to the health provider and can be accessed automatically or through certain log-ins. Primary information in PHR may include doctors' name and contacts, allergies/drug allergies, ones' medication/dosages, list/dates of illnesses/surgeries, among other basic information that the doctor manages one's health. Technology has introduced various apps that enhance PHR applications' safety, access, and efficiency on patients’ well-being. The health app for iPhones is among the technology used for PHR, which offers critical information for interested patients. In such apps, the patient can access vital information that can help them develop an effective record of their health priorities and the requirement that can be of great use to maintain and improve their health (Vance et al., 2015). Health apps, among other similar apps, are also available for Smartphone users. Like the iPhone, Smartphone serves as a potential storage for PHR, allowing the patient to have quick and effective access to healthcare without any challenges. However, even with advanced technology applications in healthcare, the need to analyze the credibility of an app before downloading them on one's device is the key to enhancing the security of PHR information. With technology, a secure app requires the user to use security codes for access to ensure that the content remains secure as only accessible through users' authorization upon feeding with any personal information. There are, however, other low-tech approaches that offer patients a chance to record and offer their health history, especially in cases of emergency. For instance, a card on one wallet or wearing a medical alert bracelet though not as high tech as the application of apps on a patient's iPhone or Smartphone, also offers the first responder clear insights into one’s health history. The essence of applying technology either it high tech or low tech, on PHR, is to offer clear health history of an individual...