Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) Practice Exam

Who is primarily responsible for maintaining Personal Health Records?

1. The healthcare provider.

2. The insurance company.

3. The patient.

4. The government.

The correct answer is: The patient.

The responsibility for maintaining Personal Health Records primarily falls on the patient. Personal Health Records (PHRs) are tools that allow individuals to manage and control their health information. Patients are encouraged to take an active role in their healthcare, which includes keeping their health information updated, such as medications, allergies, medical history, and test results. This empowerment leads to better health outcomes as patients can provide comprehensive information to their healthcare providers. In contrast, while healthcare providers and insurance companies play significant roles in managing and storing patient data, their focus is typically on medical records and billing information, rather than the holistic, comprehensive view that a PHR offers. The government may set regulations to support PHR systems and protect patient information, but it does not have the direct responsibility for maintaining these records at the individual level. Therefore, the patient is best positioned to keep their Personal Health Records up to date and accurate.