Electronic health records (EHRs) and patient health records (PHRs) both offer ways for providers and patients to capture and share health information. But they differ in 3 main ways: who captures the information, what information is collected, and how that information is managed.
Read on to learn the main differences between EHRs and PHRs — from who records the data to how each supports communication and continuity of care.
Understanding who captures EHR and PHR data
One of the main differences between an EHR and a PHR is who captures or collects the information that’s contained in the record. While the health information contained in EHRs is collected by healthcare providers, the information in PHRs is provided by individual patients.
- EHRs are comprehensive digital records that detail information hospitals, clinics, or healthcare professionals collect. They are designed to provide a seamless way for providers to capture and communicate important patient information as a way to foster continuity of care.
- PHRs contain personal health information that individual patients collect. PHRs provide a way for patients to capture and maintain personal health information that they may choose to share with others, including healthcare providers.
"While the health information contained in EHRs is collected by healthcare providers, the information in PHRs is provided by individual patients."
Information included in EHRs and PHRs
While EHRs and PHRs both include patient health information, they differ in the specific types of information they contain.
- EHRs provide an official legal record of what happened during a healthcare visit, with the main focus being on capturing and communicating clinical information. EHRs typically include information related to a patient's medical history, diagnoses, medications, allergies, lab results, treatment plans, and clinical notes.
- PHRs contain health information that a patient adds. Therefore, PHR information varies depending on the information each patient captures. PHRs may include family history, over-the-counter medications, symptoms, lifestyle notes, data collected via wearable devices and apps, and personal health goals.
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Maintenance of EHRs and PHRs
The differences in who collects EHR and PHR data and how they use it impact how records are maintained.
- EHRs are considered official legal records that only authorized healthcare professionals can access and maintain as dictated in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule that sets national standards for protecting electronic protected health information.
- PHRs are not considered legal records. PHR information is collected, updated, and maintained by a patient. It can range from health notes in a notebook to symptoms tracked in a secure patient portal.
"EHRs are considered official legal records that only authorized healthcare professionals can access and maintain, while PHRs are not considered legal records."
A quick comparison: EHRs vs. PHRs
Here's a comparison table of the key features of EHRs vs. PHRs.
| Feature | EHRs | PHRs |
| Main controller | Healthcare providers | Patients |
| Data scope | Multi-provider, longitudinal | Patient-selected, may include data from multiple sources |
| Legal status | Official clinical/legal record | Not a legal record |
| Access | Authorized healthcare professionals | Patient and individuals the patient authorizes |
| Purpose | Clinical care and provider coordination | Personal health management and tracking |
Integrating EHR and PHR data
EHRs and PHRs offer providers and patients ways to capture and maintain important health information. While EHRs serve healthcare teams and PHRs empower patients to track their own health, integrating the 2 provides a more complete view of patient needs — improving communication, coordination, and health outcomes.
Ready to empower your patients? Discover how Tebra's EHR-integrated and secure patient portal offers streamlined access to records, messaging, results, and more.
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