Open Notes

OpenNotes Resources for Adolescents

Adolescent access to open notes brings exciting opportunities—and important challenges—for clinicians, parents, and teens. Explore our guidance for navigating the evolving landscape of open notes in adolescent health.

Learn More: FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS FOR PATIENTS

OpenNotes News and Research

Users’ perspectives on a demonstration to increase shared access to older adults’ patient portals
Users’ perspectives on a demonstration to increase shared access to older adults’ patient portals
As shared access uptake remains low, the Coalition for Care Partners, and three healthcare delivery organizations, co-designed an initiative promoting shared access to the patient portals of older adults.
A Proof-of-Concept Study for Patient Use of Open Notes with Large Language Models
A Proof-of-Concept Study for Patient Use of Open Notes with Large Language Models
Can AI chatbots help patients make sense of their medical notes? This first-of-its-kind study published in JAMIA Open finds that with the right prompt, large language models may become powerful partners in understanding complex health information.
Repeated Access to Patient Portal While Awaiting Test Results and Patient-Initiated Messaging
Repeated Access to Patient Portal While Awaiting Test Results and Patient-Initiated Messaging
A new study found that patients often refresh the portal while awaiting test results—especially for routine tests. This behavior is linked to increased messaging, suggesting that individual worry may drive communication more than the test itself.
Robert F Kennedy Jr’s proposal to remove public commentary from US health policy is a threat to science and public health
Robert F Kennedy Jr’s proposal to remove public commentary from US health policy is a threat to science and public health
In a recent BMJ opinion, OpenNotes leaders warn that a proposal by U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to eliminate public comment in federal health policymaking threatens transparency, public trust, and democratic values.
Identifying, Engaging, and Supporting Care Partners in Clinical Settings: Protocol for a Patient Portal–Based Intervention
Identifying, Engaging, and Supporting Care Partners in Clinical Settings: Protocol for a Patient Portal–Based Intervention
This study aimed to implement a novel patient portal–based intervention to identify, engage, and support care partners in clinical settings. Early results suggest that the intervention could be an easily scalable and adaptable method of identifying and supporting care partners in clinical settings.
A Multisite Demonstration of Shared Access to Older Adults’ Patient Portals
A Multisite Demonstration of Shared Access to Older Adults’ Patient Portals
In this quality improvement study of 16,005 patients from 3 diverse US sites, new shared access registration was unchanged; however, use of shared access functionality among registered care partners increased. Care partners logged in more frequently, viewed more laboratory results and clinical notes, and scheduled more visits after the demonstration.
Patients and families reading their discharge summaries: A cross-sectional analysis of benefits, concerns, and implications
Patients and families reading their discharge summaries: A cross-sectional analysis of benefits, concerns, and implications
Rapidly spreading information transparency could transform how patients engage in care and communicate with clinicians. Patients and families report benefits from reading discharge summaries; however, over a quarter reported a concern.
OpenNotes Joins PCORI-Funded Study to Advance Equity in Health Research
OpenNotes Joins PCORI-Funded Study to Advance Equity in Health Research
Funded by a $2.1 million award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), OpenNotes has joined an initiative led by researchers at the University of Colorado to study and improve methods of engaging diverse and historically underrepresented communities in health research.
Guidelines for Patient-Centered Documentation in the Era of Open Notes: A Qualitative Study
Guidelines for Patient-Centered Documentation in the Era of Open Notes: A Qualitative Study
This study by Vanka, et al, presents 10 guidelines for patient-centered medical documentation, emphasizing respect, clarity, and inclusivity in clinical notes. These principles aim to empower patients, improve trust, and enhance medical education on open notes practices.
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About OpenNotes

OpenNotes is an international movement advocating for greater transparency in healthcare. Through research, innovation, and education, we identify and disseminate best practices for sharing medical information with patients and their care partners.

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What is an open note?

When a doctor or other healthcare professional shares their documentation with a patient, it becomes an “open note.” Notes are the story of a person’s health care, and connects other elements in the medical record.

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OpenNotes in action

OpenNotes is motivated by evidence indicating that when health professionals offer patients and families ready access to clinical notes, the quality and safety of care improves.

Learn more about our current projects.

How do patients and clinicians use open notes?

When a clinician shares a note with a patient, It becomes an “open note.” Notes are the story of a person’s health care and connects with other elements in their medical records.

NEW WEBINAR

Getting It Write: What To Do Now That Patients in England Can Read Their GP Notes

Tuesday, November 1, 2022  |  8am Pacific Standard Time (PST)
11am Eastern Standard Time (EST) / 3pm Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

While open notes have been the “law of the land” in the United States for more than a year, in England, adult patients accessing care through the National Health Service (NHS) will have access to their primary care record online for the first time starting Nov. 1, 2022.

In this webinar, we’ll be joined by open notes experts and discuss what this change means for patients and general practitioner (GP) staff in England.

Learn More

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