What should go in a patient’s personal health record?
One of the most important things you can do as a patient (or caregiver) is keep track of illness by recording appointments, health wishes, health records and medications. This information is often referred to as a personal health record or PHR.
There are a variety of ways to create and maintain a PHR. Some people prefer paper, some electronic, and some a combination. You can keep this information in any form that works for you and your health care providers and allows you to easily keep it up to date. Store the information where you can grab it quickly in an emergency, or on your way out the door to an appointment.
Information to include in a PHR
Patient medical history
- Diagnosis
- Physician contact information
- Allergies
- Health history (e.g. surgeries, medical conditions)
- Laboratory results, pathology reports, hospital/other discharge summaries, radiology results, etc.
SentaraMyChart patients can access this information through their electronic medical chart and share it with their care team
Medication list
- Prescription medications
- Discontinued medications (along with reason they were stopped)
- Over-the-counter medications
- Vitamins and any supplements
Insurance information
- Private medical insurance
- Prescription plan
- Medicare/Medicaid
- Long-term care insurance
- Dental and vision insurance
Legal documents, if they’ve been written
- Living will
- Advanced care planning
- Durable power of attorney for health care (also known as a health care proxy)
- Power of attorney for finances
- Contact information for care recipient’s lawyer