What is the *most common* function of Personal Health Records (PHR)?

The most common function of Personal Health Records (PHR) is to provide individuals with access to their test results and medications. This function is critical as it allows patients to manage their own health information more effectively. By having easy access to lab results, medication lists, and treatment histories, individuals can become more informed and engaged in their healthcare decisions. This accessibility aids in ensuring continuity of care, as patients can share their health information with different healthcare providers, which improves communication and the coordination of care.

Accessing test results and medications is essential in monitoring ongoing health conditions, understanding the implications of those results, and collaborating with healthcare professionals on future treatment plans. While tracking fitness levels, communicating with provider teams, and scheduling appointments are also important functions of healthcare management, they are not the primary focus of PHR systems. Instead, the core objective of PHRs is to consolidate personal health information, making it easily retrievable for the patient's own use and for interactions with healthcare systems.