Good day
It is great that patients get to access their records in some jurisdictions.
However, it is important to unpack whether this adds value and improves quality of patient care.
Is the information accessed simplified enough for the patient to understand? Does access to this information allay or increase levels of anxiety for the patient?
Are there mechanisms in place to answer questions patients may have about their medical records?
And what is the expected outcome and or impact expected from allowing patients to access their medical records?
It would be interesting to learn how my questions above have been addressed in countries in which medical records are freely available to patients.
Kind regards,
Venus Dadirai Mushininga
HIFA profile: Venus Mushininga is a pharmacist with the Ministry of Health and Childcare in Zimbabwe. She is a founder and President of the Zimbabwe Society of Oncology Pharmacy and the Zimbabewan delegate to the European Society of Oncology Pharmacy. Professional interests: Oncology, Dissemination of information through to Health Professionals and the public, Research. She is co-coordinator of the HIFA working group on information for Prescribers and Users of Medicines.
Email: vmushininga@gmail.com
http://www.hifa.org/projects/prescribers-and-users-medicines
http://www.hifa.org/support/members/venus
Email: vmushininga AT gmail.com
