Explore resources for mental health professionals on how to share therapy notes effectively, address concerns about transparency, and improve therapeutic relationships through patient engagement.
OpenNotes News and Research
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.
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.
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.
- U.S. RESEARCH Engaging family care partners through shared access to the electronic health record.
- OPENNOTES LAB OpenNotes Lab works toward clinician, patient-centered healthcare AI
- U.S. RESEARCH The OurDiagnosis (OurDX) Project is an online tool that searches for potential diagnostic breakdowns in ambulatory care.
- U.S. RESEARCH Teaching medical students to offer open and transparent communication.
FEATURED STORY
Advocating for Healthcare Transparency at an International Scale
Liz Salmi’s brain tumor diagnosis in 2008 sparked her journey with OpenNotes. Using her online patient portal showed her the importance of accessing medical information and communicating with doctors. But it was choosing a new clinical team that underscored the need for better patient access to clinical notes. Discover why Liz champions OpenNotes globally. Learn more.
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.
- FOR PATIENTS How to get the most out of your notes
- FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Sharing notes with patients: the basics
- FOR PATIENTS How to read an open note
- FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Open notes for mental health clinicians
- FOR PATIENTS How to use notes to help someone else
- FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Sharing notes with care partners