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Your Personal Health Records (PHR), The Power You Need
One of the most significant advancements in this domain is the concept of Personal Health Record (PHR). It is a growing innovation globally and in Nigeria, MyMedicalBank is pioneering7 Harmful Effects of Drinking Liquids Packaged in Plastic Bottles its adoption in the country.
What is Personal Health Record?
A personal Health Record or PHR is a secure, online repository of your medical information that you can access and manage by yourself. This is different from Electronic Medical Record (EMR) which is typically managed by a hospital.
A PHR allows you to store your health records such as your medical test results, prescriptions, referral letters, discharge letters, vaccination records, medical history, medications, your child’s birth certificate, and your health vitals like Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, Weight, Cholesterol and Temperature.
Why You can’t do without a PHR
Personal Health Record offers you numerous benefits, empowering you to take control of your health and well-being. Essentially PHR gives you the power to participate more actively in managing your health. Rather than being just a recipient you are empowered to become a participant in the matters of your own health and that of your family members
Here are some ways in which PHR will help you and why you can’t afford to have it.
- Comprehensive Health Information at Your Fingertips
With a PHR, you can access all your health information in one centralized and secure digital vault. This includes your medical history, lab results, imaging reports, medications, allergies, immunizations, hospitalization records, health insurance plans, and more. Having all this information readily available allows you to have a comprehensive view of your health status.
- Better Understanding of Your Health
By reviewing your health records in your PHR, you gain a deeper understanding of your health trends and medical history. This knowledge enables you to identify patterns, track progress, and make informed decisions about your health. Not only that, it becomes easier to identify any errors or anomalies in your records.
- Improved Communication with Healthcare Providers
Having access to your health records does not mean you no longer need your doctors. Rather it enhances your communications with them. You are no longer struggling to read your doctor’s illegible handwriting or trying to understand the basis of any treatment plan you have been placed on. Not only that, you can easily share relevant information with your doctors and other healthcare providers. This facilitates better communication during medical appointments, enabling your doctors to make more accurate diagnoses and create personalized treatment plans. You can equally seek a second medical opinion if you so wish.
- Enhanced Care Coordination:
If you receive medical care from multiple providers, or you relocate to a different place, a PHR can streamline care coordination. All your healthcare professionals can access up-to-date information, reducing the risk of redundant tests and ensuring a more cohesive approach to your healthcare.
- Medication Management
A PHR often includes features to help you manage your medications effectively. You can set reminders for medication doses, track prescription refills, and be alerted to potential drug interactions, leading to better adherence to your treatment plan. What’s more, for a PHR linked to a pharmacy you can easily order your prescribed medications when your supply is running low.
- Health Monitoring and Goal Setting
Many PHR platforms allow you to track various health metrics over time. You can record vital signs, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, exercise routines, and more. This tracking enables you to set health goals and monitor your progress toward achieving them. For instance, if your health goal is to reduce your weight, increase your level of physical activity or stop smoking, a PHR can help you track your progress.
- Empowerment in Preventive Care
Not only is prevention better than cure, but it is also cheaper than cure. For a small token, a PHR like MyMedicalBank PHR gives you access to your health data allowing you to be proactive about preventive care. You are not waiting to fall ill or have a medical crisis before you take intelligence-based actions to look after yourself. PHR has an in-built algorithm that uses your health information to help you identify potential risk factors and take necessary steps to prevent or detect health issues early on.
- Portability and Accessibility
A PHR is typically accessible from various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or computers. This portability ensures that you can access your health information wherever you are, providing convenience and peace of mind, especially during travel, emergencies, or when making an application that requires you to provide your health information such as applying for a job, a contest, or ordering health insurance. You cannot be carrying your health files with you everywhere but you can access your PHR from anywhere in the world. - Emergency Preparedness
In case of medical emergencies, having critical health information readily available can be lifesaving. Many PHRs like MyMedicalBank PHR offer emergency access features, allowing designated individuals like your spouse or healthcare providers to access vital information promptly. Access to such information can make a difference between life and death.
- Privacy and Security
Reputable PHR platforms like MyMedicalBank PHR prioritize data privacy and security. Your health information is protected against unauthorized access or breaches, ensuring that your sensitive data remains confidential. MyMedicalBank PHR in particular is designed to comply with global data protection standards such as the HIPPA, EU’s GDPR, Nigeria’s DPR, OWASP 10, encryption via HTTPS, and other data protection protocols.
In conclusion, a Personal Health Record is a powerful tool that empowers you to be an active participant in your healthcare journey. By providing easy access to your health information, fostering communication with healthcare providers, and supporting preventive care, a PHR can positively impact your health outcomes and overall well-being.
Read More About Health Record
Take charge of your health today by signing up for free for MyMedicalBank PHR due for release in the Nigerian market by August 2023. Visit Mymedicalbank PHR to get started.
Do you have any concerns about using PHR at all? Have you used any PHR and would like to share your experience with us? Kindly leave your comments below 👇
