This document discusses integrating personal health records (PHRs) into electronic health record (EHR) platforms. While EHRs were initially focused on collecting patient data within healthcare settings, there is now interest in making records available to patients and allowing them to enter their own health data. Many patients currently use standalone PHRs, but an integrated system within EHRs could provide a more comprehensive health history. Some EHR platforms now include a PHR tool that lets patients enter information and access provider-entered data through a patient portal. However, integrating PHRs also raises debates around potential benefits, such as patient empowerment, and challenges regarding access, security, ethics, and other implications.

1. Integrating PHRs into EHR Platforms
When electronic health records (EHRs) first entered the market,
their primary focus was to collect and analyze patient
information within health care settings. As technological
capabilities grew, so did the interest in making these records
available to patients. In addition, many health care
professionals saw benefits in allowing the patient to enter his or
her own health data into EHR platforms. Though many patients
are already utilizing personal health records (PHRs) to manage
and track their own health, some believe that an integrated
system would provide a better, more comprehensive picture of a
patient’s health history.
As a result, many EHR platforms are now equipped with a PHR
tool. This PHR tool allows patients to enter health information
as they would in a stand-alone PHR system. In addition, web-
based portals within the EHR allow patients to access
information entered by their physicians and health care
providers.
Like many emerging trends and technologies, there is much
discussion about the potential benefits and challenges of this
type of integrated system. While many health care professionals
are excited about the empowerment provided to patients, others
express significant concerns about access, security, ethics, and
other implications.
In this Discussion, you explore how integrating PHRs into EHR
platforms could impact you and your patients.
To prepare:
Review the media

2. Patient-Centered Technologies
, and reflect upon Dr. Simpson’
s
statements about the ownership of patient data.
Review the article,“Dreams and Nightmares: Practice and
Ethical Issues for Patients and Physicians Using Personal
Health Records” found in this week’s Learning Resources.
Consider how PHR capabilities can be integrated into EHR
platforms.
Examine the “dreams” and the “nightmares” the authors
associate with this type of integrated health record. Select one
benefit or one challenge of integrating PHRs into EHR
platforms. Then, consider its potential impact on health care
providers and patients. Why is this considered to be a benefit or
challenge for health care professionals and patients?
Post by tomorrow 07/05/2016 a minimum of 550 words in APA
format and 3 references.
1) A brief description of your selected benefit or challenge and
support your selection.
2) Explain the potential impact on health care professionals and
patients.
Required Resources
Readings
Saba, V. K., & McCormick, K. A. (2015).

3. Essentials of nursing informatics
(6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Review Chapter 1, “Historical Perspectives of Nursing
Informatics”
In this chapter, the authors explain the transition from paper-
based records to electronic records. The chapter provides an
overview of the historical events that contributed to the rise of
electronic health records.
Chapter 25, “Care Delivery Across the Care Continuum:
Hospital-Community-Home”
Chapter 25 analyzes the impact of home health on the health
care system. The chapter explains the current level of home
health technology and how the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (PPACA) changes this aspect of health
care.
Chapter 44, "Initiation and Management of Accessible,
Effective Online Learning"
This chapter explores the psat and present perspectives of
distance education, important teractive electronic tools and
essential strategies for the online learner.
Chapter 45, "Social Media in the Connected Age: Impact on
Healthcare Education and Practice"
The focus of this chapter is on the evolution of the Internet,
mobile tools and the use of social media in healthcare
education.
Chapter 35, “Consumer/Patient Engagement and eHealth
Resources”
As access to health care information increases, patients are
becoming more informed about and engaged in their health.
This chapter discusses current trends in health care, including

4. patient empowerment, consumerism, and widespread use of
computers and technologies for health.
Crilly, J. F., Keefe, R. H., & Volpe, F. (2011). Use of electronic
technologies to promote community and personal health for
individuals unconnected to health care systems.
American Journal of Public Health
,
101
(7), 1163–1167.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
The authors of this article describe technologies that have been
used to increase access to health care for underserved
populations. The authors present strategies, benefits, and
challenges of addressing this issue, and they provide examples
of successful programs.
Walker, J., Leveille, S. G., Ngo, L., Vodicka, E., Darer, J. D,
Dhanireddy, S., ... Delbanco, T. (2011). Inviting patients to read
their doctors' notes: Patients and doctors look ahead: Patient
and physician surveys.
Annals of Internal Medicine
,
155
(12), 811–819.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
In this article, the authors discuss the results of their study on
the outcomes of allowing patients to read their doctors’ notes.
The study highlights the benefits of sharing notes with patients
and how doing so can promote better outcomes.
Wynia, M., & Dunn, K. (2010). Dreams and nightmares:
Practical and ethical issues for patients and physicians using
personal health records.
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 38(
1), 64–73.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

5. The authors of this article highlight the primary uses and
benefits of personal health records (PHRs) as an electronic
health record (EHR) tool. In addition, the article presents an
overview of practical and ethical issues that may emerge from
integrating PHR components into EHR systems.
Media
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012f).
Electronic health records and data ownership
. Baltimore: Author.
Note:
The approximate length of this media piece is 9 minutes.
In this media presentation, Dr. Roy Simpson discusses how the
data derived from patient-centered technologies can be used to
increase the quality of care given to patients. Dr. Simpson also
highlights how patients can harness the power of these
technologies to make more informed decisions about their
health. Dr. Simpson concludes his segment by examining the
ownership of patient information in EHR systems.
Optional Resources
Hertz, B. T. (2012). Physician-designed app empowers patients.
Medical Economics
,
89
(1), 30, 32.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Sands, D. (2010).
Dr. Danny Sands: Knowledge is power
[Video File]. Retrieved from

6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgC6meGxQLQ