Innovation Snapshot
Summary
More than 100 primary care doctors and 20,000 patients at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania, and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle participated in a 12-month demonstration project of OpenNotes ® , a program where doctors invite patients to access their notes detailing medical office visits via a secure patient portal linked with their electronic medical record system. Registered portal users receive an automatic e-mail notification after their doctor signs a note from a visit. They can access the note by logging in to the portal, using it as they see fit. For example, patients may read a note to develop a better understanding of their care; discuss aspects of the visit with the doctor at the next office visit; act on self-management, treatment, and other recommendations included in the note; and share the note with others, including family members and other providers. The program has generated high levels of satisfaction and produced multiple benefits for both patients and doctors.
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