The Personal Health Patient Portal, Essay Example

The personal health patient portal is effective in providing detailed information to patients that enables them to have a better grasp of their health status. The system is easy to use and appears to be secure, with all data encrypted and protected. PHRs enable patients to improve their own health literacy and to recognize that healthcare providers have the intent to improve their health through accurate and comprehensive record-keeping (Reti et.al, 2010). In today’s society, PHRs must be established in all healthcare organizations because they enable healthcare providers to maintain an advantage in improving quality of care for all patients at all times. It is believed that these systems will also support the growth of PHRs so that patients are able to better utilize them to understand where they might be able to improve their health through positive decision-making (Reti et.al, 2010).

Some patients from different generations who do not understand technology may be hesitant to sign up for these services, while others may not trust that their personal health information is secure. These individuals may not be willing to obtain this information, even when it appears that the data is secure and encrypted. It is also believed that when many individuals have access to these records, such as different healthcare providers, there may be errors in the transmission of data that could ultimately have a negative impact on patient care and wellbeing over time (Wagner et.al, 2010). Patients must be convinced by healthcare providers that these records will contribute to positive outcomes and will enable them to make informed decisions regarding their own health through the use of this data (Wagner et.al, 2010). Healthcare providers are able to use these systems to have access to patient data that will govern their own decision-making regarding patient health status and in supporting patient health and wellbeing throughout the life span (Wagner et.al, 2010).