Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) Practice Exam

Which statement is true regarding Personal Health Records (PHR)?

1. They are owned and maintained by the healthcare provider.

2. They are exclusively for hospital records.

3. They are maintained and owned by the patient.

4. They are mandatory for all patients.

The correct answer is: They are maintained and owned by the patient.

Personal Health Records (PHR) are indeed maintained and owned by the patient. This means that individuals have direct control over their own health information, which they can manage and update as needed. PHRs empower patients to take an active role in their healthcare management by allowing them to store various health-related information, such as medications, allergies, lab results, and medical history. This ownership facilitates better communication between the patient and their healthcare providers, and it can enhance patient engagement in their own care. In contrast to this, healthcare providers typically maintain Electronic Health Records (EHR), which are different from PHRs in terms of ownership and purpose. The notion that PHRs are exclusively for hospital records is also misleading, as PHRs can include data from various sources, not strictly limited to hospital-related information. Lastly, while PHRs can be beneficial, they are not mandatory for all patients; participation in using and maintaining a PHR is entirely voluntary and based on individual preference. Therefore, the assertion that patients own and maintain their PHRs aligns with the key principles of patient-centered care.