Which of the following is not a role of the Personal Health Record (PHR)?

• A. Integrate the EHR and the PHR into a single record.
• B. Help consumers make informed health care decisions.
• C. Engage consumers in their care.
• D. Supply information to health care providers.

Answer: (A)

PHRs are patient-owned tools that store and manage an individual’s health information so they can actively participate in their care. They’re designed to present data in an understandable way and to support decision-making. By giving access to current medication lists, test results, allergies, and care plans, a PHR helps a person make informed choices about treatments and options. It also fosters engagement by letting someone track symptoms, monitor progress toward health goals, and communicate with providers. Data in a PHR can be shared with clinicians or exported to support care, helping the care team have a fuller picture of the patient’s health history.

However, a PHR does not become the two records merged into one. The EHR is the provider-maintained clinical record housed in the health care system, with its own governance, privacy controls, and workflow. While data can be exchanged between a PHR and an EHR to improve continuity of care, they remain separate records rather than a single unified file.