Patient empowerment through online access to health records

Abstract

Rapid, convenient, and full access to personal electronic health records is a key part of empowering patients to manage their health and collaborate with healthcare, argue Maria Hägglund and colleagues

Primary care staff’s views and experience of patients’ online access to their electronic health record: a qualitative exploration

“…This announcement also includes confirmation of a longer-term ambition to enable patients to request historic coded records through the NHS App (9). Alongside these proposed changes, primary care has become increasingly reliant on remote access as a result of the coronavirus pandemic (13).…”

“…8 Alongside these proposed changes, primary care has become increasingly reliant on remote access as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 12 Despite the potentially significant impact of such changes on how primary care staff practise, relatively little is known about the views and experiences of primary care staff in England, and what support might be required to ensure ORA is employed consistently and effectively.…”

Implications of the changes to patient online records access in English primary care

“…[7][8][9] Evidence from the US shows that age, education, ethnicity, and language do impact on online records access, but when individuals from disadvantaged groups use these services they report even greater benefits than other users. 5 We must ensure that groups who could be disadvantaged by ORA have supportive options available, such as translation services, patient advocates, or alternative formats. There are some beacons of good practice, such as the Bridges Medical Centre in Dorset, who have drop- in centres with 'digital volunteers' helping patients get online and explaining the benefits of records access (www.thebridgesmedicalcentre.co.uk).…”

“…3 NHS Digital's data highlight these inconsistencies; in August 2022, although 48.1% of adult patients in England could order repeat prescriptions online, only 13.9% were able to view their DCR. 4 Despite documented benefits of ORA, 3,5,6 primary care staff have raised concerns 7-9 that can be grouped into issues around workload, safeguarding, patient confusion or distress, and health inequities.…”

Realising the potential of shared digital medication records

“…International evidence and experience broadly support patient access to electronic health records,3 although evidence on health outcomes is mixed 4. Digital and health literacy issues must be considered in the development of SDMRs,567 including measures to prevent the digital exclusion of groups such as older adults and some patients from ethnic minority backgrounds.…”