What are private electronic files managed by patients called?

The term that accurately describes private electronic files managed by patients is "Personal Health Records (PHR)." Personal Health Records are digital records that individuals create and maintain to store their health information. They empower patients by allowing them to manage their health data, including medical history, medications, allergies, immunization records, and other relevant health information, independently.

PHRs often come with features that allow patients to share their information with healthcare providers, facilitating better coordinated care. This management by the individual is a key distinction, as it emphasizes the patient's role in controlling their own health information.

In contrast, personal records may refer to various types of personal documents, not exclusively health-related. Health records can broadly cover all health information but are typically maintained by healthcare providers and institutions. Medical records specifically refer to formal documentation created and stored by healthcare professionals pertaining to patient care and treatment but do not usually highlight the aspect of patient management that PHRs emphasize.