VA patients derive value and benefit from OpenNotes
A preliminary assessment showed that access to clinical notes via the Department of Veteran Affairs’ OpenNotes program proved beneficial for patients, according to a study published in the American Medical Informatics Association.
Based on a web-based survey of VA OpenNotes users from June 22 to September 2013:
- 80.1 percent reported that access to the notes improved their medication adherence
- 88.6 percent said they were better prepared for clinic visits
- 91.8 percent of users agreed that access to notes helped them understand their conditions better
- 91.9 percent said access to notes helped them better remember the plan for their care
- 87 percent disagreed that VA notes will make them worry more
- 88.4 percent disagreed that access to notes will be more confusing than helpful
About 11.9 percent of users contacted their provider or healthcare team to learn more about a health issue, medication or test results, according to the study.
“These findings are congruent with OpenNotes study findings on a broader scale. Additional outreach and education is needed to enhance patient awareness. Healthcare professionals should author notes keeping in mind the opportunity patient access presents for enhanced communication,” concluded the authors.