A quarterly publication of the California Medical Association    •     Issue 3     •    Spring '06

Common Health Technology Terms

EMR – Electronic Medical Record. A patient medical record for singular physician use; often an electronic version of a paper medical chart.

EHR – Electronic Health Record. A robust electronic tool; it incorporates all relevant patient information and clinical decision support and facilitates communication of clinical information with patients and health care providers.

PHR – Personal Health Record. Often a paper medical record created and maintained by patients.

Interoperability. The ability of computers to exchange, interpret, and use patient information with supporting clinical data among providers, across multiple electronic spectrums.