With AI-generated summaries, OpenNotes and Abridge are making patient visit notes more understandable and transparent.
OpenNotes News and Research
Being a care partner can be a deeply rewarding experience, but it also comes with unique challenges. How can health information technology ease some of this burden? Join OpenNotes, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and the Coalition for Care Partners for a free webinar that explores innovative ways to support patients and their care partners. Register now.
New research identifies promising strategies to enhance transparency, build trust, and standardize the collection of social determinants of health data.
We support the ASTP/ONC efforts to provide regulatory clarification and protections for those patients and their clinicians whereby "information blocking exceptions for electronic health information (EHI) related to reproductive health care during interoperable exchanges" should be allowed.
This study tested self-directed tools for older adults with chronic conditions to identify healthcare priorities. Website engagement was low, but 26% completed an Epic previsit questionnaire. Most found it helpful, and physicians noted it facilitated end-of-life care discussions. Embedding these tools may improve priority-aligned care.
While attending the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) meeting in Boston, Chethan Sarabu, MD, was invited to share how generative AI and large language models (LLMs) can offer patients new tools to help them navigate and understand their healthcare journeys, from diagnosis to treatment.
We’re thrilled to announce that Steve O'Neill, LICSW, BCD, JD, has been honored with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-MA). This recognition celebrates Steve’s extraordinary contributions to social work, bioethics, patient care, and transparency in healthcare.
Patient portals are vital tools for managing health information, providing patients with direct access to medical records, lab results, and communication with healthcare providers. However, two recent publications suggest their full potential is not realized until these portals support shared access for care partners, allowing them to participate in a patient’s healthcare securely and effectively.
The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation (PJMF) has awarded a $200,000 grant to OpenNotes to investigate how artificial intelligence (AI) can further propel health information transparency and open communication between patients and their clinicians. This funding initiates exploration into the evolving landscape of AI in healthcare by focusing on how patients use and comprehend clinical documentation.
In this chapter, perspectives from a patient with cancer, an oncologist, and a cancer psychiatrist (in that order) are shared to illuminate the adjustments made in clinician-patient communication amid the era of nearly instantaneous results within the electronic health record.
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.
FEATURED STORY
Advocating for Healthcare Transparency at an International Scale
Liz Salmi’s brain tumor diagnosis in 2008 sparked her journey with OpenNotes. Using her online patient portal showed her the importance of accessing medical information and communicating with doctors. But it was choosing a new clinical team that underscored the need for better patient access to clinical notes. Discover why Liz champions OpenNotes globally. Learn more.
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
