From EHR to PHR: let’s get the record straight

Abstract

This article reflects on the changing nature of health information access and the transition of focus from electronic health records (EHRs) to personal health records (PHRs) along with the challenges and need for alignment of national initiatives for EHR and PHR in the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK. The importance of implementing integrated EHRs as a route to enhance the quality of health delivery has been increasingly understood. EHRs, however, carry several limitations that include major fragmentation through multiple providers and protocols throughout the NHS. Questions over ownership and control of data further complicate the potential for fully utilising records. Analysing the previous initiatives and the current landscape, we identify that adopting a patient health record system can empower patients and allow better harmonisation of clinical data at a national level. We propose regional PHR ‘hubs’ to provide a universal interface that integrates digital health data at a regional level with further integration at a national level. We propose that these PHR hubs will reduce the complexity of connections, decrease governance challenges and interoperability issues while also providing a safe platform for high-quality scalable and sustainable digital solutions, including artificial intelligence across the UK NHS, serving as an exemplar for other countries which wish to realise the full value of healthcare records.

Benefits, challenges, and contributors to success for national eHealth systems implementation: a scoping review

“…40 Many documents also described eHealth systems as a means to improve access and exchange of information and data (n=57/86, s=144). [41][42][43][44][45][46] Over half of the documents also reported that eHealth would improve the quality of care (n=48/86, s=107) 47 , and support research and policy (n=43/86, s=92). Other perceived benefits included patient empowerment & engagement, 46,[48][49][50][51] improvements to patient safety and data security 53 , reduction of costs, better service monitoring 54 and generally increased ability to address challenges that emerge.…”

Factors affecting the acceptance of integrated electronic personal health records in Saudi Arabia: The impact of e-health literacy

“…Currently, many governments view integrated or unified ePHR as a promising tool to improve the quality of healthcare (Fragidis and Chatzoglou, 2018; Kasteren et al, 2017; Symons et al, 2019) because of the various potential benefits for all parties involved, especially clinicians, healthcare managers and healthcare consumers (Detmer et al, 2008; Tang et al, 2006). Anticipated benefits include easy and timely access to patient information, enhancement of workflow flexibility and reliability and increased productivity (Detmer et al, 2008).…”

Analysis of Platforms and Functions of Mobile-Based Personal Health Record Systems

“…Hospitals having better quality of care were more interested in adopting IT [20]. Many countries have keenly watched the progress of their PHR systems and those of other nations [21][22][23]. There are many barriers and facilitators associated with PHR adoption and use, and those barriers usually are related to technological, organizational, financial, and legal issues [24].…”