Adaptation of the electronic health records by healthcare providers has provided the patients with the opportunity of admittance to their health records. Healthcare providers currently maintain patient health records, but it is only imperative that the patient also has a history of his/her health ( Essén et al., 2018) . A study conducted in Florida showed that patients are ready to adapt to the personal health record (PHR) technology despite their relatively low education status. The more literate patients were more willing to adopt the PHR technology compared to the illiterate persons. Proverbs 14:16 says, "The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence." It is only imperative then for the patients to keep a record of their health and accurately communicate with the physician.
The adoption of the PHR system significantly depends on the disposal of healthcare providers for hands-on preparation and aid with the interpretation of medical information. In ensuring the patient gets the ultimate care, the patient has to be fully involved in their healthcare process, especially those with chronic conditions ( Nelson & Staggers, 2014) . The patients should understand that health is essential to the Lord, and it is necessary for a healthy walk with Christ. To ensure high-quality care, accurate data exchange has to take place between the patient and the physician ( Noblin et al., 2012). The treatment process of chronic conditions is a daily process that requires the patient to keep a record of their health and communicate with the physician giving accurate information for better outcomes.
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Most of the patients today are suffering from chronic medical conditions that necessitate personal health records technology. The PHR technology gives patients control of their health records, which could be their lifetime record. The technology has its advantages to the patients, which otherwise could not have been realized ( Noblin et al., 2012). The Florida study indicated that the younger population, which is mostly educated and literate, is most likely to adopt the technology, unlike the older and less literate population ( Nelson & Staggers, 2014) . As such, it is a challenge for healthcare providers to gain full access to patient information regarding their health.
Technology provides an enhancement for healthcare. Patient comprehensive of the healthcare information technology remains a hiccup that has to be overcome for patients to adopt PHR technology fully ( Nelson & Staggers, 2014) . The patients must be trained, gain hands-on experience to be able to adopt the technology. Improved communication, on the other hand, can help bridge the existing gap between the physician and patient. Improved communication will permit the patient to become more involved in the healthcare process ( Hägglund et al., 2019) . Lack of proper communication and accurate health records will result in poor health outcomes. Proverbs 27:12 says a sensible individual predicts danger and takes safety measures; the simpleton goes blindly on and faces the consequences. The patients should then make an accurate record of their health.
Despite PHR providing patients with services to help manage their health, some are unwilling to adopt the PHR technology. There is the potential benefits of improved healthcare outcomes but lies the concerns about privacy and security of the healthcare records besides the illiteracy about the technology. Medical terminologies are another factor making it hard for patients to adopt technology ( Braunstein, 2014). These issues impede the adaptation of technology by other patients. As such, it is the responsibility of the healthcare providers to help the patients understand and adopt the technology.
Irrespective of the challenges, those who have adopted the PHR technology have reported it to enhance their understanding of the physician's instructions, prevent medical errors/mistakes. Besides, the patients have more control over their care and can ask better questions. Studies indicate the health literacy of an individual is the primary variable for the person to adopt the technology on personal health records ( Noblin et al., 2012). The younger population, which is highly educated, will most likely adopt the technology compared to the older, less illiterate population. Some patients do not know how to find and use the PHR technology as such; they have not adopted it.
References
Braunstein, M. L. (2014). Contemporary health informatics . AHIMA Press.
Essén, A., Scandurra, I., Gerrits, R., Humphrey, G., Johansen, M. A., Kierkegaard, P., ... & Ancker, J. S. (2018). Patient access to electronic health records: differences across ten countries. Health Policy and Technology , 7 (1), 44-56.
Hägglund, M., DesRoches, C., Petersen, C., & Scandurra, I. (2019). Patients’ access to health records.
Nelson, R., & Staggers, N. (2014). Health Informatics: An Interprofessional Approach. St. Louis.
Noblin, A. M., Wan, T. T., & Fottler, M. (2012). The impact of health literacy on a patient's decision to adopt a personal health record. Perspectives in health information management, 9 (Fall), 1–13.
