Patients Know Best is a digital health platform that provides a patient‑controlled personal health record (PHR) system. The service enables individuals to store, manage, and share their medical information with healthcare professionals through a secure online portal. The platform includes functionalities such as health data aggregation, medication tracking, appointment scheduling, and secure messaging between patients and clinicians.
History and Development
- The company behind the platform was established in 2009 in the United Kingdom.
- Since its launch, Patients Know Best has expanded its services to a range of healthcare providers, including NHS Trusts, private hospitals, and specialist clinics both within the UK and in other countries.
Core Features
- Data Consolidation: Allows users to import health records from multiple sources, including electronic health record (EHR) systems, wearable devices, and manual entries.
- Sharing Controls: Patients can grant selective access to specific clinicians or care teams, retaining control over who can view each portion of their record.
- Communication Tools: Integrated messaging facilitates direct, secure communication between patients and healthcare providers.
- Clinical Integration: The platform can interoperate with existing clinical information systems via standard health data exchange protocols.
Adoption and Impact
Patients Know Best has been adopted by several NHS organisations and private healthcare entities as a means to promote patient engagement and improve data continuity across care settings. Reports from participating institutions indicate that the platform supports shared decision‑making and can reduce administrative overhead associated with information transfer.
Regulatory and Security Aspects
The service complies with data protection regulations applicable in its operating regions, such as the United Kingdom’s Data Protection Act and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Security measures include encrypted data transmission, role‑based access controls, and regular security audits.
Current Status
Patients Know Best continues to develop its platform, adding features such as telehealth integrations and analytics tools aimed at enhancing personalized care. The company maintains a presence in the digital health marketplace, offering its services to both public and private healthcare providers.
