Use it
Your health record can help you understand, advocate for, and manage your own health care — it can make you an expert on you.
In this section:
It’s very common to get your health record for a specific purpose — like when you have a new primary care provider or you need to share some test results with your care team. These are great reasons to get it. But it can also be empowering to have your record for your own use.
Your health record can help you understand, advocate for, and manage your own health care — it can make you an expert on you.
Explore these tips on how to make use of your health record. And keep in mind that it will be easier to share and manage your health information if you have an electronic copy of your health record.
Share your health record
Having your health record makes it easier for you to share it. Sharing your health information helps ensure that all of the health care providers and caregivers you work with have the information they need to safely care for you. People who might need this information include:
- Family members and caregivers
- Primary care doctors, specialists, and other providers
- Emergency care teams
Stay on top of your health care
Having your health record can give you a complete picture of your health. You can:
- Review your health care provider’s notes, treatment plans, and test results to make sure you understand them — and prepare questions about the things you don’t understand
- Keep track of your test results and chronic conditions — is your health improving?
- Stay on top of yearly check-ups, immunizations, and tests — for you and your family
- Save time and money by only getting the tests and procedures you need
Use an app to manage your health information
You may have heard of apps (software programs) that track things like how many steps you take and calories you eat. There are also health apps that help you manage your health record from your phone or tablet.
However, you store and manage your health record, remember: it’s important to make sure it’s secure—that no one else can see your health information without your permission. You may be able to securely copy your health record directly into an app from your provider’s portal. Learn how to protect your personal information.
What are the benefits of a secure health app?
- It lets you see your health record from anywhere, at any time
- It can be more secure than paper or email, so you can get to your health information while keeping it private
- It can make it easier to keep your health records organized and up to date
- It can make it easier and safer to share your health record with providers and caregivers
Some apps also let you:
- Keep health records for family members or other people you care for
- Store information about your medicines, allergies, health conditions, and emergency contacts
- Track and set up reminders for medicines, tests, and appointments
- Add notes and photos to your record so you can remember questions and information for your health care provider
- Get detailed information about medicines you’re taking
Many people use health apps — you might like one too!
Half of people with a smartphone or tablet have a health or wellness app.
Source: ONC Data Brief 48 [PDF - 1.1 MB]
What should I look for in a health app?
If you are looking for an app to help manage your health information, use this checklist. The app should have a privacy policy you can read; if it does not, keep looking for one that does. Make sure it:
- Allows you to securely look at and store your health record
- Allows you to securely download your health record from your provider’s online portal
- Allows you to securely share your health record with a provider or caregiver
- Allows you to manage and control your information in the app
- States how it protects your information, such as whether it is encrypted and whether it is stored on your device or on the app developer’s servers
- Explains whether and how the app developer may access and exchange your health information, or whether they may allow any other person or company to use it, or sell it
- Specifically states that it won’t use, sell, or otherwise share your personal health information without your permission
Frequently Asked Question
Do I have to pay for a health app?
There are many free health apps. However, if you want some of the more complex features — like information about different medications or the ability to track your health and wellness activities — you may have to pay a one-time fee or an annual subscription.
Troubleshooting Tip
Get data directly
Some health apps make you manually type in or scan in your health information. Electronically transferring your information from an EHR directly into the app is often safer — and makes it easier to keep your health information accurate and up to date.
Where can I find secure health apps?
You can find them just about anywhere apps are sold, including:
Quick Quiz: How to Choose an App
When choosing a health app, what’s most important? Select the option that best answers the question.
E is correct! You’ll want to do your homework on an app to make sure that it does what you need it to do and what it says it will do — and that it protects the privacy of your health information.
That’s true, but E is actually the correct answer because you’ll want to do your homework on the app and check out all of these resources to make sure that it does what you want it to do and what it says it will do — and that it protects the privacy of your health information.
That’s true, but E is actually the correct answer because you’ll want to do your homework on the app and check out all of these resources to make sure that it does what you want it to do and what it says it will do — and that it protects the privacy of your health information.
That’s true, but E is actually the correct answer because you’ll want to do your homework on the app and check out all of these resources to make sure that it does what you want it to do and what it says it will do — and that it protects the privacy of your health information.
That’s true, but E is actually the correct answer because you’ll want to do your homework on the app and check out all of these resources to make sure that it does what you want it to do and what it says it will do — and that it protects the privacy of your health information.
That’s true, but E is actually the correct answer because you’ll want to do your homework on the app and check out all of these resources to make sure that it does what you want it to do and what it says it will do — and that it protects the privacy of your health information.
