Electronic health records and personal health records

Objectives: To provide an overview of electronic personal health information technology.

Data sources: Peer reviewed research studies, review articles, and web resources.

Conclusion: As technology develops and electronic health records become more common, patients and clinicians are working toward a safer, more personal form of health care delivery.

Implications for nursing practice: Improving access and input to personal health information is still in its infancy, but with government funding, development of patient health records will continue to grow. Patients are the consumers of health care and are witness to the paradigm shift of access to health information and changes in information communication technology (ICT). For the oncology nurse, the transformation of health care and ICT will require nurses to educate patients and family members on available online resources for self management and health promotion.