Engelsk titel: Should patients in general practice be offered a copy of their medical record?
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Författare:
Thorsen O
;
Grimsmo A
Email: othorsen@lyse.net
Språk: Nor
Antal referenser: 7
Dokumenttyp:
Artikel
UI-nummer: 06031815
Sammanfattning
BACKGROUND : Is it useful for patients in general practice to have a copy of their medical record, and will this increase the quality of the record? What do patients and their doctors think about such a practice?
MATERIAL AND METHODS : Eight general practitioners participated in a study where they should ask their patients if they wanted at copy of their medical record after the consultation. The doctors were asked about what they felt about such a practice. 181 patients participated.
RESULTS : 126 patients (70%) wanted to read their medical record. Among these, 118 (94%) reported that the record covered the problem they came for, 104 (83%) that it was useful to read what the doctor had written, and 96 (76%) that this practice should be more common. The doctors answered that the records became somewhat changed and longer and were more time-consuming. Most of the doctors thought that the quality of the medical record improved and that the procedure could well be standardised.
INTERPRETATION : The results indicate that many patients in general practice will find it useful to read their medical record. The study may indicate a better quality of the record when doctors are aware that the patients will have a copy.