Personal health records (PHRs) are electronic applications used by patients to maintain and manage their health information in a private, secure, and confidential environment, and their use is becoming increasingly common.

Personal health records (PHRs) are electronic applications used by patients to maintain and manage their health information in a private, secure, and confidential environment, and their use is becoming increasingly common. Technology companies are continually introducing new products to the market to address exercise, posture, BMI, and even diet. The PHR has helped to bridge the gap between patient and provider regarding behaviors related to health. When patients monitor their exercise and calories consumed, for example, a health care provider is better able to engage in a meaningful conversation on what can be modified to improve overall health. Technology-based PHRs have also enabled diabetics to track their blood sugar levels in a real-time capacity to avoid complications. This information is vital in the development of programs to address chronic conditions. However, if these PHRs are difficult to use or cumbersome, people will not use them over the long term.

For this Discussion, you will research PHR tools and share the information you gather with your colleagues. You will collaborate and contribute to each other’s knowledge base on technology that you might use to improve your own health.

For this Discussion:

To Prepare:

Review the week’s Resources.

Conduct an online search for PHR tools.

Select a PHR application or technology that is currently available and familiarize yourself with it

By Day 3

Include the following, if available:

Describe your selected PHR technology to your colleagues.

Cost

Ease of use

Ease of access

Pros and cons that you identified.

Explain the benefits and challenges of using this type of PHR for chronic disease management and to promote population health.

Finally, explain whether the PHR you selected would be applicable in health care settings. Why or why not?

By Day 5

Respond in the Discussion board to at least two colleagues. Respond in one or more of the following ways:

Explain another benefit of using a colleague’s personal health application or technology to benefit health.

Explain another challenge of using a colleague’s personal health application or technology to benefit health.

Support or refute your colleague’s stance on whether the personal health record application or technology is applicable in a health care setting.