EMR vs EHR vs PHR: What is the Difference

EMR – What is it exactly?

Medical, surgical, family, and social history

The doctor’s notes

Medication

Allergies

Treatment plan

Demographic data

Test results

Immunizations

Billing information

EHR – What is it exactly?

EHRs store data such as:

Personal information

Medical and surgical history

Demographic data

Medication

Treatment plans

Immunizations

Allergies

Lab tests

Diagnoses

Clinical imaging

Progress notes

Billing information

In addition, EHR systems can be used to:

Report outcomes

Access and analyze real-time data

Support evidence-based decision-making

Improve the communication between patients and physicians

Enhance preventive care

Prescribe electronically

Send reminders and warnings

Provide valuable clinical data for medical research, drug development, etc.

Automate workflow

Bill fast and accurately

PHR – What is it exactly?

Patients can enter relevant data manually (e.g. over-the-counter medications, diet plans, etc.)

Information derived from home-monitoring devices (e.g. wearables, pulse oximeters, glucometers, blood pressure cuffs, Bluetooth scales, thermometers, etc.)

Standalone: this type of PHR is usually stored on the patient’s computer. The patient can decide whether the recorded data is shared or not with other parties involved in his care plan.

Tethered : this type of PHR is linked to an EHR and patients use secure portals to access their records.

EMRs Vs. EHRs Vs. PHRs: synopsis

Are EMR, PHR, and EHR systems here to stay?

Wrap up