The Electronic Health Record is a digital software package that includes patient demographics, progress notes, problems, and medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, radiology reports and images. Many EHRs also include electronic provider notes, electronic viewing of laboratory and radiology results and electronic prescribing. The ability to exchange information across organizations known as health information exchange (HIE), or to collect electronic data for disease analysis are other components of many EHRs. Some EHR systems enable integration of complementary applications such as e-prescribing, referral management, and evidencebased decision support. One of the great benefits of an EHR is its ability to search all information in a patient's record and, based on best medical practice, (decision support tools) provide the physician with alerts ranging from fairly simple notices regarding immunizations or recommended screening tests, to more complex issues.

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Frank suffers from sleep apnea. A Bluetooth enabled smart phone monitors Frank while he sleeps. A wireless monitor clipped to his finger or toe overnight collects data on the apnea episodes that occur during the night and sends that information to Frank's doctor over a cell phone. Frank and his physician analyze the information, confer over a cell phone and decide on a treatment.

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Although portal communications do not replace the face-to-face visit, between a physician and a patient, the use of the portal means that a patient's care is not solely dependent upon the office visit as it has been for many decades. Interactions through the portal supplement the annual or semiannual office visit, with continuous communications at the mutual convenience of the patient and the eHealth professional. Face-to-face visits, groups sessions, email and telephone communication suddenly are driven by communication that starts at the portal.

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