Discussion: Integrating PHRs Into EHR Platforms

When electronic health records (EHRs) first entered the market, their primary focus was to collect and analyze patient information within health care settings. As technological capabilities grew, so did the interest in making these records available to patients. In addition, many health care professionals saw benefits in allowing the patient to enter his or her own health data into EHR platforms. Though many patients are already utilizing personal health records (PHRs) to manage and track their own health, some believe that an integrated system would provide a better, more comprehensive picture of a patient's health history.

As a result, many EHR platforms are now equipped with a PHR tool. This PHR tool allows patients to enter health information as they would in a stand-alone PHR system. In addition, web-based portals within the EHR allow patients to access information entered by their physicians and health care providers.

Like many emerging trends and technologies, there is much discussion about the potential benefits and challenges of this type of integrated system. While many health care professionals are excited about the empowerment provided to patients, others express significant concerns about access, security, ethics, and other implications.

In this Discussion, you explore how integrating PHRs into EHR platforms could impact you and your patients.

To prepare:

• Review the media Patient-Centered Technologies, and reflect upon Dr. Simpson's statements about the ownership of patient data.

• Review the article, "Dreams and Nightmares: Practice and Ethical Issues for Patients and Physicians Using Personal Health Records" found in this week's Learning Resources. Consider how PHR capabilities can be integrated into EHR platforms.

• Examine the "dreams" and the "nightmares" the authors associate with this type of integrated health record. Select one benefit or one challenge of integrating PHRs into EHR platforms. Then, consider its potential impact on health care providers and patients. Why is this considered to be a benefit or challenge for health care professionals and patients?

Post a brief description of your selected benefit (I choose Promoting data use or Promoting responsibility) or challenge and support your selection. Explain the potential impact on health care professionals and patients.

APA Style, 600 characters minimum (not including the reference on this 600 words count)

As I write above, I choose Promoting data use or Promoting responsibility one of those.

Required Readings

Saba, V. K., & McCormick, K. A. (2015). Essentials of nursing informatics (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Review Chapter 1, "Historical Perspectives of Nursing Informatics"

In this chapter, the authors explain the transition from paper-based records to electronic records. The chapter provides an overview of the historical events that contributed to the rise of electronic health records.

Chapter 25, "Care Delivery Across the Care Continuum: Hospital-Community-Home"

Chapter 25 analyzes the impact of home health on the health care system. The chapter explains the current level of home health technology and how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) changes this aspect of health care.

Chapter 44, "Initiation and Management of Accessible, Effective Online Learning"

This chapter explores the past and present perspectives of distance education, important teractive electronic tools and essential strategies for the online learner.

Chapter 45, "Social Media in the Connected Age: Impact on Healthcare Education and Practice"

The focus of this chapter is on the evolution of the Internet, mobile tools and the use of social media in healthcare education.

Chapter 35, "Consumer/Patient Engagement and eHealth Resources"

As access to health care information increases, patients are becoming more informed about and engaged in their health. This chapter discusses current trends in health care, including patient empowerment, consumerism, and widespread use of computers and technologies for health.

Crilly, J. F., Keefe, R. H., & Volpe, F. (2011). Use of electronic technologies to promote community and personal health for individuals unconnected to health care systems. American Journal of Public Health, 101(7), 1163-1167.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

The authors of this article describe technologies that have been used to increase access to health care for underserved populations. The authors present strategies, benefits, and challenges of addressing this issue, and they provide examples of successful programs.

Walker, J., Leveille, S. G., Ngo, L., Vodicka, E., Darer, J. D, Dhanireddy, S., ... Delbanco, T. (2011). Inviting patients to read their doctors' notes: Patients and doctors look ahead: Patient and physician surveys. Annals of Internal Medicine, 155(12), 811-819.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

In this article, the authors discuss the results of their study on the outcomes of allowing patients to read their doctors' notes. The study highlights the benefits of sharing notes with patients and how doing so can promote better outcomes.

Wynia, M., & Dunn, K. (2010). Dreams and nightmares: Practical and ethical issues for patients and physicians using personal health records. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 38(1), 64-73.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

The authors of this article highlight the primary uses and benefits of personal health records (PHRs) as an electronic health record (EHR) tool. In addition, the article presents an overview of practical and ethical issues that may emerge from integrating PHR components into EHR systems.