Patient record access--the time has come - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17095813/
17 years was about right for patient access to record becoming mainstream. We wrote this in the British Journal of general Practice in 2007:-
"By next year a likely scenario is this: June 2007, the consultant sighs. The letter from the GP is tantalisingly brief: the reason for referral seems unclear and no test results are included. The 70-year-old patient, seeing the GP's confusion, offers to show him her records. She moves closer to the screen, taps her pin and personal password into his computer, and uses a token to generate random numbers that will ensure she is securely identified. Seconds later, all her recent consultations appear on screen, followed by all the correspondence and all test results. On the same day in A&E, a patient admitted with chest pain shows a junior doctor the reports of the last chest X-rays and ECGs ordered through his general practice. He displays this on his handheld organiser. In Leeds, the pensioner, confused by the last consultation with her GP, logs on to her records. She sees what the GP was thinking and the results on which the conversation was based. She can also see, linked with the problem title of hyperlipidaemia, a short list of weblinks that offer further information. These include a patient information leaflet, a link with patient-centred NICE guidance, and a decision aid that enables her to decide whether she should take statins or not, based on the results that she can easily access in her notes.In Valencia, the tourist shows the doctor his latest 24-hour tape results by accessing them via the Spanish desktop computer.
"These scenarios are likely as a result of developments in the field of record access. This paper outlines the current situation in this ongoing process, and discusses the possible impact of record access."
"The principle of patients having access to their own electronic health records is established. Despite some delays, NHS Connecting for Health is delivering ‘HealthSpace’. From May 2007, people will be able to see a summary of their health records on a home computer using a protected web service. At first, they will be able to access medications and allergies, and later other summary information about care and treatment. They will also be able to add information, such as access needs, treatment preferences, and eventually self-monitoring information. Record access has the potential for:
• improving care and safety,
• affecting the way care is delivered, and
• enhancing patients' self-efficacy."
"Record access is increasingly being adopted around the world by clinicians and patients. We recognise the risks and potential pitfalls associated with this trend. Yet, we see record access as significantly improving shared care and improving not only trust in and respect of clinicians by patients, but also trust in and respect of patients by clinicians."
"Record access will result in a closer relationship between GPs and their patients. Access enables patients to participate in their own care, find out relevant information, and ask about their disease and health. It could enable GPs to improve patient safety. Patients can include their own recorded values and their own care management in the record, for the benefit of both clinician and patient. Record access also facilitates education as it can frame results and medical information directly from patients' concerns. It appears safe when used with simple precautions, and is likely to form the basis of future choice and shared decision-making."
HIFA profile: Richard Fitton is a retired family doctor - GP. Professional interests: Health literacy, patient partnership of trust and implementation of healthcare with professionals, family and public involvement in the prevention of modern lifestyle diseases, patients using access to professional records to overcome confidentiality barriers to care, patients as part of the policing of the use of their patient data Email address: richardpeterfitton7 AT gmail.com