Open Results: New study shows only a small subset of patients report experiencing additional worry after receiving abnormal test results.
What is OpenNotes?
OpenNotes is the international movement advocating greater transparency in healthcare. Through research and education, we identify and disseminate best practices for sharing medical information with patients and their care partners.
OpenNotes is not software or a product. It’s a call to action.
OpenNotes News and Research
In this multisite survey study of patient attitudes and preferences toward receiving immediately released test results via a patient portal, most respondents preferred to receive test results via the patient portal despite viewing results prior to discussion with a health care professional.
In a recent multisite survey of more than 8,000 patients who accessed their test results via an online patient portal account, researchers found that users overwhelmingly supported receiving the results immediately, even if their provider had not yet reviewed them.
Patients with cancer and their cancer care teams want the ability to tailor information release based on individual preferences and goals. Understanding how to tailor implementation of the Information Blocking Rule is essential for retaining its benefits and minimizing unintended harm for patients with cancer.
Most note-writing guides to date have focused on the experience of clinicians. Here, we build on these tips by integrating patient perspectives related to note-reading.
Research evaluating patient experiences with accessing their dermatology clinic notes is currently limited. In this survey study, we aimed to assess dermatology patient experiences with viewing online medical records and sought to identify areas for improvement.
Researchers in the UK say patients have little choice but to be more self-reliant due to overwhelming demands on the health system. Ready online access to full health records could help and may also reduce demand.
A new study from OpenNotes shows patients and families who read open notes hold unique insights and can catch potential safety hazards that are difficult for clinicians or organizations to see.
OpenNotes advocate/researcher Liz Salmi describes a high-stakes decision she made in collaboration with her neurosurgeon during awake craniotomy.
Distinct themes identified as benefits of pediatric inpatient Open Notes for parents emerged from all the 5 focus groups. These themes were communication, recapitulation and reinforcement, education, stress reduction, quality control, and improving family-provider relationships. Challenges identified included burden on provider, medical jargon, communication, sensitive content, and decreasing trust.
The benefits of open notes and how to find them.
Reading the notes your clinicians write can help you take more control of your health. Studies show that fully open communication with your doctor or nurse benefits you and your care partners. And we can help you find your notes.
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Jan Walker and Tom Delbanco accepting the Health Data Liberator award from Academy Health
Cait DesRoches speaks at The Alliance Annual Seminar
Tom Delbanco and US Senator, Sheldon Whitehouse, discussing OpenNotes at a Washington Post Seminar.
Sigall Bell discussing Patient Safety at Health Informatics Society of Australia
Liz Salmi at NCQA’s Quality Talks presenting OpenNotes from a patient’s perspective
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FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
OpenNotes for Clinicians →
Effects of OpenNotes: FAQs →
New Federal Rules →
With OurNotes, patients are writing notes with their doctors.
OpenNotes is exploring a new way to build transparent communication, shared decision-making, and mutual trust among patients, care partners and health professionals.
Learn More
Coalition for Care Partners
Connecting Care Partners through Health Information Technology
Visit our new website produced in partnership with the Roger C. Lipitz Center for Integrated Health Care at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Learn more here
The work has begun. Here’s where we need to go.
The new federal rule mandating open notes is a leap forward, and we’re riding that wave. But sharing notes with patients is just a start. The next level involves many more people utilizing those notes to bring greater transparency, collaboration, and safety to healthcare. That’s where we’re headed.
Here are some ways we’re getting there:
- THE “OUR DIAGNOSIS” PROJECT Engaging patients and families in the diagnostic and patient safety process
- ENGAGING CARE PARTNERS IN TRANSPARENT RECORDS Offering care partners ready proxy access and active engagement
- BEYOND US DEPLOYMENT OF eHEALTH TRANSPARENCY Studying global examples of population-wide open notes
- SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH (SDOH) Understanding how clinical notes interact with SDOH. How can notes help or hinder?
Where is My Medical Record?
Get your medical records. Read your open notes.
A new tool for patients presented by OpenNotes and Ciitizen.
Learn more here
We're funded by grants, philanthropy, and supporters like you. Your entire tax-deductible donation will go to spreading the OpenNotes movement.
