Keeping a Personal Health Record: What to Include
A personal health record puts important medical details in one place. Learn what to include, how to keep it updated, and how to share it safely.
The short version
- A personal health record collects your medical history, medications and contacts in one place.
- Keep both a paper copy and a secure digital copy if possible.
- Update it after every appointment, medication change or hospital stay.
In this guide
If you see several doctors, use more than one pharmacy or occasionally need care away from home, a personal health record can save time and reduce mix-ups. It is simply an organized summary of your health information that you keep and control.
Why keep one?
- New doctors get a quick, accurate picture of your history.
- Emergencies go more smoothly when key details are easy to find.
- Family members or caregivers can help more effectively.
- You stay informed and engaged in your own care.
What to include
Personal information
- Full name, date of birth and contact information
- Emergency contacts
- Insurance information (you may want to keep copies of cards in a secure place rather than writing out full numbers)
Health care team
- Primary care doctor, specialists, dentist and eye doctor with phone numbers
- Preferred pharmacy
- Preferred hospital
Medical history
- Current health conditions and when they were diagnosed
- Past surgeries and hospital stays, with dates
- Significant injuries
- Family health history
Medications
- Prescription medicines with dose, schedule and the reason you take each one
- Over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements
- Medications you have stopped and why, if relevant
Allergies and reactions
- Medication, food and other allergies, and what kind of reaction you had
Immunizations
- Dates of vaccines, if you have them
Test results and screenings
- Dates and results of recent screenings and important lab tests
Planning documents
- Whether you have an advance directive or health care power of attorney, and where copies are kept
Paper, digital or both?
Paper records are easy to grab and do not need a device or password. A binder or folder with clear sections works well.
Digital records can be stored on a computer, a secure cloud service or a smartphone health app. Many hospitals and doctors' offices offer patient portals where you can view test results, visit summaries and medication lists.
Many people keep both: a full binder at home and a one-page summary in their wallet or phone.
A one-page emergency summary
Create a short summary with your name, emergency contacts, major conditions, current medications, allergies and doctor's phone number. Keep a copy in your wallet and another in an obvious place at home, such as on the refrigerator. Some phones let you add medical information that responders can view from the lock screen.
Keep it secure
- Store paper copies in a safe place at home.
- Use strong passwords for portals and apps, and turn on two-step verification when available.
- Be cautious about which apps you use; read how they handle your data.
- Share your record only with people you trust and providers involved in your care.
Keep it current
Set a reminder to review your record every few months and after any appointment, new prescription or hospital stay. An outdated medication list can cause as many problems as no list at all.
