Electronic health records (EHRs) are considered legal documents because they contain important patient information such as medical history, diagnoses, treatments, and medications. These records are created and maintained by healthcare providers and are used to document patient care. EHRs are also subject to legal requirements such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which regulates the privacy and security of personal health information.
On the other hand, personal health records (PHRs) are owned and controlled by patients themselves. PHRs are electronic or paper-based records that contain a patient's health information, including medical history, diagnoses, treatments, and medications. Unlike EHRs, PHRs are not created or maintained by healthcare providers but rather by patients themselves or through third-party applications.
Therefore, PHRs are not considered legal documents in the same way that EHRs are. However, PHRs can still be used as evidence in legal proceedings if they meet certain requirements. For example, if a patient's PHR contains accurate and complete information that is relevant to a legal case, it may be admissible as evidence.