March is Patient Safety Month—transparency in healthcare helps prevent errors and improves outcomes. Explore OpenNotes resources to see how shared notes empower patients and support safer care.
Learn More: FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS FOR PATIENTS
OpenNotes News and Research
This study aimed to implement a novel patient portal–based intervention to identify, engage, and support care partners in clinical settings. Early results suggest that the intervention could be an easily scalable and adaptable method of identifying and supporting care partners in clinical settings.
In this quality improvement study of 16,005 patients from 3 diverse US sites, new shared access registration was unchanged; however, use of shared access functionality among registered care partners increased. Care partners logged in more frequently, viewed more laboratory results and clinical notes, and scheduled more visits after the demonstration.
Rapidly spreading information transparency could transform how patients engage in care and communicate with clinicians. Patients and families report benefits from reading discharge summaries; however, over a quarter reported a concern.
Patient portal use among patients with cancer has increased significantly in recent years. This state-of-the-art review seeks to address and analyse literature involving patient portal use by patients with cancer and their care partners.
Funded by a $2.1 million award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), OpenNotes has joined an initiative led by researchers at the University of Colorado to study and improve methods of engaging diverse and historically underrepresented communities in health research.
Combined efforts by ASTP and OpenNotes take a close look at how SDOH data is collected and shared in healthcare settings in a way that feels helpful, respectful, and inclusive for both patients and clinicians.
This study investigated the hospital discharge process for palliative care patients and their caregivers, focusing on its patient-centeredness, discharge readiness, and links to readmissions.
How might AI, digital health technologies, and open notes transform diagnosis while addressing health disparities? Read highlights from the National Academies Forum on Advancing Diagnostic Excellence.
This study by Vanka, et al, presents 10 guidelines for patient-centered medical documentation, emphasizing respect, clarity, and inclusivity in clinical notes. These principles aim to empower patients, improve trust, and enhance medical education on open notes practices.
About OpenNotes
OpenNotes is an international movement advocating for greater transparency in healthcare. Through research, innovation, and education, we identify and disseminate best practices for sharing medical information with patients and their care partners.
What is an open note?
When a doctor or other healthcare professional shares their documentation with a patient, it becomes an “open note.” Notes are the story of a person’s health care, and connects other elements in the medical record.
OpenNotes in action
OpenNotes is motivated by evidence indicating that when health professionals offer patients and families ready access to clinical notes, the quality and safety of care improves.
Learn more about our current projects.
- U.S. RESEARCH Engaging family care partners through shared access to the electronic health record.
- OPENNOTES LAB OpenNotes Lab works toward clinician, patient-centered healthcare AI
- U.S. RESEARCH The OurDiagnosis (OurDX) Project is an online tool that searches for potential diagnostic breakdowns in ambulatory care.
- U.S. RESEARCH Teaching medical students to offer open and transparent communication.
How do patients and clinicians use open notes?
When a clinician shares a note with a patient, It becomes an “open note.” Notes are the story of a person’s health care and connects with other elements in their medical records.
- FOR PATIENTS How to get the most out of your notes
- FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Sharing notes with patients: the basics
- FOR PATIENTS How to read an open note
- FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Open notes for mental health clinicians
- FOR PATIENTS How to use notes to help someone else
- FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Sharing notes with care partners
Except where otherwise noted, the content by OpenNotes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
