Final answer:
The true statement about a personal health record (PHR) is that patients manage and control their own health information. PHRs enable patients to track and supervise their medical data while ensuring their privacy through laws like HIPAA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that is true concerning a personal health record (PHR) is: D. Patients manage and control their health information in a PHR. Unlike the traditional medical records controlled by healthcare providers, a PHR is an electronic application through which patients can maintain and manage their health information in a private, secure, and confidential environment. Patients can often access their PHR online, and they have a role in managing their health data, including medical history, treatment plans, and even personal wellness tracking. With rising concerns around the privacy and security of health information, laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establish standards for the protection of patient records to maintain confidentiality.
Developing policies concerning health records requires addressing several concerns to find a balance between cost, quality of life, and privacy. Some questions that must be considered are:
- Who controls access to these health records and under what circumstances can they be shared?
- How can patients' privacy be ensured while allowing necessary access for healthcare improvement?
- What are the legal and ethical implications of sharing health information without patient consent?
These considerations highlight the importance of maintaining the privacy of health information while still facilitating the improvement of healthcare service quality and cost management. However, doing so requires careful policy development, considering ethical, legal, and social implications to ensure that individual rights and public health needs are appropriately balanced.