Doctors reading notes could improve health care

Doctors reading notes could improve health care -

A new study, called the OpenNotes project will provide patients online access the notes from their doctors in a short time of a visit. It is designed to provide patients with a better understanding of their health care. Many suppliers already use electronic health records that can track patient visits, prescriptions, surgeries and diseases, but they do not follow the scores of health care providers.

According to the Associated Press, the study will involve 115 doctors and some 25,000 patients a year. After a visit, each patient will receive an email about their personal notes. The study will measure whether patients read the notes, if they find errors and how they use the notes. The research will also measure the habits of doctors and they censor their notes or are more patient-friendly.

There are concerns among doctors about the opening of the project. Physicians may be concerned about taking notes to seek certain types of cancer in future visits so they do not worry about the patient. Others may be concerned about hurting the feelings of patients or record personal problems - like a patient noncompliance.

Patients may be offended by the doctor making a note that they are overweight or obese. But then, it can provide people the motivation they need to change their lifestyles.

There has been a recent push to become more consumer-friendly by the entire health care industry. Doctors, hospitals and health insurance companies are creating ways to provide better health services and more understandable.

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