Researchers followed patient participants in the OpenNotes program from BethIsraelDeaconnessMedicalCenter in Boston and Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa., for two years. BIDMC patients received email notifications that physicians had updated their notes for the full two years, while Geisinger patients only received them for the first year. The researchers noted a significant reduction in the frequency with which Geisinger patients read their notes after email reminders ceased, compared with BIDMC patients, whose frequency remained similar over the course of the study.
In addition to the two health systems analyzed in study, only four other in the U.S. are currently using OpenNotes, according to the paper: Stanford (Calif). Health Care, Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, Ore., Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Mo., and The Vancouver Clinic in Washington. In a survey of Kaiser’s OpenNotes users, 93 percent reported desiring electronic alerts that their notes were available to review following a visit.
Additional data suggests that combining access to patient notes with electronic alerts can reduce no-shows, diminish gaps in preventive care and chronic disease management, and does not lead to patient fatigue, according to the study.
“As this relatively novel practice takes root and millions of patients nationwide gain ready access to their clinicians’ notes, explicit invitations and reminders to review notes may prove highly important in helping patients engage and communicate more effectively with those offering care,” the authors concluded.
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