There is wide variation of primary care physicians' opinions on sharing their visit notes with patients, while the great majority of patients were in favor of the practice, according to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers surveyed primary care physicians and patients in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Washington, some of whom later joined a voluntary program that provided patients with electronic links to their physicians' notes. Results showed that 69-81 percent of physicians who participated in the program and 16-33 percent of nonparticipating physicians thought open visit notes were a good idea. In comparison, 92-97 percent of patients thought open visit notes were a good idea.
In addition, 50-58 percent of participating physicians and 88-92 percent of nonparticipating physicians expected open notes would cause greater worry in patients; however, only 12-16 percent of patients expected this outcome. Patients' favorable responses to the idea of accessing their physicians' notes did not differ across age, education and health status.
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Researchers surveyed primary care physicians and patients in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Washington, some of whom later joined a voluntary program that provided patients with electronic links to their physicians' notes. Results showed that 69-81 percent of physicians who participated in the program and 16-33 percent of nonparticipating physicians thought open visit notes were a good idea. In comparison, 92-97 percent of patients thought open visit notes were a good idea.
In addition, 50-58 percent of participating physicians and 88-92 percent of nonparticipating physicians expected open notes would cause greater worry in patients; however, only 12-16 percent of patients expected this outcome. Patients' favorable responses to the idea of accessing their physicians' notes did not differ across age, education and health status.
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