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What to Keep in a Personal Health Record

Updated October 2026

A personal health record is your own organized copy of your health information. This checklist shows what to include.

Step 1: Start with the basics

Your name, date of birth, emergency contacts, and the name and phone number of each doctor and your pharmacy.

Step 2: List your medicines

Write each medicine and supplement, the dose, why you take it and who prescribed it. Update it when anything changes.

Step 3: Add conditions, surgeries and allergies

Keep a short list of conditions you have been diagnosed with, operations with the year, and anything you react to.

Step 4: Save test results and reports

Lab results, imaging reports, and visit summaries are the most useful pages to have on hand when you see someone new.

Step 5: Include shots and screenings

Dates of vaccines and screenings help any doctor see what is due.

Step 6: Keep it secure and current

Store your record where only you and people you choose can reach it, and update it after each visit.

This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Sources: HHS: Medical Records, HHS: Timeliness, HHS: Sending records to a third party, HealthIT.gov.