ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the nature of patient-centred care and consider how this can be supported by electronic health record systems. Electronic patient record (EPR) systems contain the detailed records of encounters between patients and their healthcare providers. Electronic personal health record (ePHR) systems are self-maintained records of an individual's health and healthcare. The information may come from healthcare providers, carers or the individual, but it is usually the responsibility of the individual to maintain their records. Systems that integrate records from other EPR or EHR systems to create longitudinal records of care may be referred to as integrated electronic health record (iEHR) systems. The shortcomings can be circumvented by providing secure communication between patient and their clinicians as a function of the EHR. Many of the features of EHR systems discussed, and of Internet-based services in general, encourage this joint working and thereby increase autonomy and empower the patient.
