How do older patients with chronic conditions view reading their clinicians’ notes?

Since April 5, 2021, U.S. healthcare organizations are legally required to provide patients with electronic access to all information in their electronic health records, including clinical notes from their outpatient visits. Results from a new study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggest that older adults with chronic conditions gain significant benefits from having these notes. 

For the 7,688-participant study, researchers examined survey data from three healthcare organizations (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, UW Medical Center, and Geisinger Health System) with experience offering patients access to their notes through patient portals. Participants were patient portal users, aged 65 and older, who read at least one clinical note over the 12 months prior to being surveyed. 

Patients with two or more chronic conditions were more likely than those with one or none to report that reading their notes helped them remember their care plan, take their medications as prescribed, and understand and feel more in control of their medications. Very few patients reported feeling worried or confused about their health or medications due to reading their notes.  

“Our findings suggest older patients with more complex care needs find their clinical notes to be an important resource as they manage their health,” said lead author Catherine M. DesRoches, DrPH, Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of OpenNotes at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “Unfortunately, older patients are less likely be offered information about patient portals, and when offered, are less likely to register for and use them. Clinicians caring for elders should ensure older patients have access to appropriate information in a format that is most useable and useful for them.”

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