by Mere Abrams, MSW, ASW
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Each time I go to the doctor, I pause before opening the door to the waiting room and take five deep breaths. I have no idea how I will be addressed, read, or referred to, even if it’s not my first appointment. As a trans nonbinary person who uses gender-neutral pronouns and does not identify with the sex assigned to me at birth…
Stories
Mental Health OpenNotes Empower Patients
Stacey has a history of anxiety and depression. Her symptoms became worse after a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and she began seeing a mental health therapist who offered to share visit notes with Stacey. The notes help Stacey remember what was discussed at the visit and what she’s supposed to do between visits. She also
Pushing for Partnership in Digital Health
by Michael L. Millenson, President, Health Quality Advisors
CHICAGO, IL – Could OpenNotes help push predictive analytics from paternalism to partnership?
As new payment incentives make it profitable to prevent illness as well as treat it, new technology is offering the tantalizing prospect of accurately targeting pre-emptive interventions.
OpenNotes is an Invaluable Tool for Caregivers
Learning to Speak Up: OpenNotes and Therapy
by Lori W., patient
BOSTON, MA – When asked if I was interested in writing a blog post for OpenNotes I immediately said yes. But it wasn’t long before panic set in. “What’s a blog?” I know it sounds silly to most people, especially when almost everyone is so used to social media, but I’m not. I want this to be as organic as possible, so I’ll just give my thoughts on OpenNotes and my experience with it.
Parkinson’s Disease: Tracking Progress with OpenNotes
Hyam Kramer feels in control of his Parkinson’s Disease. He’s grateful for the partnership he has with his neurologist Dr. Samuel Frank and the rest of his care team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. His tremors are managed with medications; he’s exercising, is back behind the wheel of his car, and is able to
Improving Documentation in Anticipation of OpenNotes
by George Leydon, DO, family physician
MADISON, WI – When our medical director indicated that we’d be implementing OpenNotes this summer, my fleeting concern about patients seeing my typos was quickly superseded by possible downstream increase in workload—clarifications, phone calls about the documentation, etc. My fear was that it could contribute further to charting fatigue.
Sharing Clinical Notes With Patients Improves Treatment Effectiveness
by John Torous, MD
BOSTON, MA – Digital psychiatry – using new mobile and connected technologies towards mental health and wellness – offers tremendous potential. Everyday it seems we read about new smartphone apps, wearables, and virtual reality tools that promise to improve mental health. At last count, there were over 10,000 mental health apps! But beyond the excitement, and often hype, what is the reality? What can technology really do today that may improve mental health care?
From Paper to Portal: Cancer Care in the Mesozoic Era to the Digital Age
by Guy Lipof, husband and care partner
AUSTIN, TX – My wife, Susie, was diagnosed with Grade III Oligoastrocytoma brain cancer in 1999.
Just a few years earlier, in 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was passed into law, making it possible for people to get access to their full medical records.
OpenNotes: Easing the Burden in Primary Care
Maine primary care doctor, Peter Elias says OpenNotes transformed his practice. It made office visits more productive, and collaborating with patients helped turn the note into a tool for change.