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van Kessel R, Ranganathan S, Anderson M, McMillan B, Mossialos E. Exploring potential drivers of patient engagement with their health data through digital platforms: A scoping review. Int J Med Inform 2024; 189:105513. [PMID: 38851132 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient engagement when providing patient access to health data results from an interaction between the available tools and individual capabilities. The recent digital advancements of the healthcare field have altered the manifestation and importance of patient engagement. However, a comprehensive assessment of what factors contribute to patient engagement remain absent. In this review article, we synthesised the most frequently discussed factors that can foster patient engagement with their health data. METHODS A scoping review was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar. Relevant data were synthesized within 7 layers using a thematic analysis: (1) social and demographic factors, (2) patient ability factors, (3) patient motivation factors, (4) factors related to healthcare professionals' attitudes and skills, (5) health system factors, (6) technological factors, and (7) policy factors. RESULTS We identified 5801 academic and 200 Gy literature records, and included 292 (4.83%) in this review. Overall, 44 factors that can affect patient engagement with their health data were extracted. We extracted 6 social and demographic factors, 6 patient ability factors, 12 patient motivation factors, 7 factors related to healthcare professionals' attitudes and skills, 4 health system factors, 6 technological factors, and 3 policy factors. CONCLUSIONS Improving patient engagement with their health data enables the development of patient-centered healthcare, though it can also exacerbate existing inequities. While expanding patient access to health data is an important step towards fostering shared decision-making in healthcare and subsequently empowering patients, it is important to ensure that these developments reach all sectors of the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin van Kessel
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom; Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; Digital Public Health Task Force, Association of School of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium.
| | | | - Michael Anderson
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom; Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
| | - Brian McMillan
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
| | - Elias Mossialos
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom; Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Blease CR, Kharko A, Dong Z, Jones RB, Davidge G, Hagglund M, Turner A, DesRoches C, McMillan B. Experiences and opinions of general practitioners with patient online record access: an online survey in England. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078158. [PMID: 38302414 PMCID: PMC10806584 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the experiences and opinions of general practitioners (GPs) in England regarding patients having access to their full online GP health records. DESIGN Convenience sample, online survey. PARTICIPANTS 400 registered GPs in England. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Investigators measured GPs' experiences and opinions about online record access (ORA), including patient care and their practice. RESULTS A total of 400 GPs from all regions of England responded. A minority (130, 33%) believed ORA was a good idea. Most GPs believed a majority of patients would worry more (364, 91%) or find their GP records more confusing than helpful (338, 85%). Most GPs believed a majority of patients would find significant errors in their records (240, 60%), would better remember their care plan (280, 70%) and feel more in control of their care (243, 60%). The majority believed they will/already spend more time addressing patients' questions outside of consultations (357, 89%), that consultations will/already take significantly longer (322, 81%) and that they will be/already are less candid in their documentation (289, 72%) after ORA. Nearly two-thirds of GPs believed ORA would increase their litigation (246, 62%). CONCLUSIONS Similar to clinicians in other countries, GPs in our sample were sceptical of ORA, believing patients would worry more and find their records more confusing than helpful. Most GPs also believed the practice would exacerbate work burdens. However, the majority of GPs in this survey also agreed there were multiple benefits to patients having online access to their primary care health records. The findings of this survey also contribute to a growing body of contrastive research from countries where ORA is advanced, demonstrating clinicians are sceptical while studies indicate patients appear to derive multiple benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte R Blease
- Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala, Sweden
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna Kharko
- Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
- Department of Women and Children's Health, Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Zhiyong Dong
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ray B Jones
- Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Gail Davidge
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Maria Hagglund
- Department of Women and Children's Health, Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala, Sweden
- Medtech Science & Innovation Centre, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Catherine DesRoches
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian McMillan
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Richards T, Coulter A, McMillan B, Hagglund M. Patient access to full general practice health records. BMJ 2022; 379:o3019. [PMID: 36535705 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.o3019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brian McMillan
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Maria Hagglund
- Participatory eHealth and Health Data Research Group, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden
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McMillan B, Davidge G, Blease C, Watson J. Implications of the changes to patient online records access in English primary care. Br J Gen Pract 2022; 72:558-559. [PMID: 36424157 PMCID: PMC9710826 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp22x721205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brian McMillan
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Gail Davidge
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Charlotte Blease
- Digital Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, US
| | - Jessica Watson
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Blease C, McMillan B, Salmi L, Davidge G, Delbanco T. Adapting to transparent medical records: international experience with "open notes". BMJ 2022; 379:e069861. [PMID: 36410770 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2021-069861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Blease
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian McMillan
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Liz Salmi
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gail Davidge
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Tom Delbanco
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Unintended consequences of patient online access to health records: a qualitative study in UK primary care. Br J Gen Pract 2022; 73:e67-e74. [PMID: 36316163 PMCID: PMC9639599 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp.2021.0720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health systems are seeking to harness digital tools to promote patient autonomy and increase the efficiency of care worldwide. The NHS Long Term Plan created the right for patients to access 'digital first' primary care by 2023-2024, including online patient access to full medical records. AIM To identify and understand the unintended consequences of online patient access to medical records. DESIGN AND SETTING Qualitative interview study in 10 general practices in South West and North West England. METHOD Semi-structured individual interviews with 13 patients and 16 general practice staff with experience of patient online access to health records. RESULTS Online access generated unintended consequences that negatively impacted patients' understanding of their health care, with patients finding surprising or difficult to interpret information. Online access impacted GPs' documentation practices, such as when GPs pre-emptively attempted to minimise potential misunderstandings to aid patient understanding of their health care. In other cases, this negatively impacted the quality of the records and patient safety when GPs avoided documenting speculations or concerns. Contrary to assumptions that workload would be reduced, online access introduced extra work, such as managing and monitoring access, and taking measures to prevent possible harm to patients. CONCLUSION The unintended consequences described by both staff and patients show that, to achieve the intended consequences set out in NHS policy, additional work is necessary to prepare records for sharing and to prepare patients about what to expect. It is crucial that practices are adequately supported and resourced to manage the unintended consequences of online access, now that it is the default position. A table of potential unintended consequences and mitigation measures is provided to aid practice managers and clinicians implementing online access.
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Abstract
Rapid, convenient, and full access to personal electronic health records is a key part of empowering patients to manage their health and collaborate with healthcare, argue Maria Hägglund and colleagues
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Hägglund
- Healthcare Sciences and E-health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Brian McMillan
- Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Robyn Whittaker
- National Institute for Health Innovation, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Waitemata District Health Board, New Zealand
| | - Charlotte Blease
- General Medicine and Primary Care Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Blease C. Sharing online clinical notes with patients: implications for nocebo effects and health equity. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2022; 49:medethics-2022-108413. [PMID: 35918134 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2022-108413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Patients in around 20 countries worldwide are now offered online access to at least some of their medical records. Access includes test results, medication lists, referral information, and/or the very words written by clinicians (so-called 'open notes'). In this paper, I discuss the possibility of one unintended negative consequence of patient access to their clinical notes-the potential to increase 'nocebo effects'. A growing body of research shows that nocebo effects arise by engaging perceptual and cognitive processes that influence negative expectancies, and as a consequence, adverse health effects. Studies show that increased awareness about the side effects of medications, the framing of information and the socioemotional context of care can increase the risk of nocebo effects. Connecting research into the nocebo effect with open notes provides preliminary support for the hypothesis that patient access to clinical notes might be a forum for facilitating unwanted nocebo effects. Furthermore, current findings indicate that we might expect to see systematic differences in how nocebo effects are experienced among different patient populations. The ethical implications of the tension between transparency and the potential for harm are discussed, with an emphasis on what open notes might mean for justice and equity in clinical care for a range of already marginalised patient populations. I argue that to resolve these challenges does not thereby justify 'closed notes', and conclude with suggestions for how health systems and clinicians might adapt to this innovation to reduce the risk of potential nocebo effects arising via this novel route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Blease
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Louch G, Albutt A, Smyth K, O'Hara JK. What do primary care staff think about patients accessing electronic health records? A focus group study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:581. [PMID: 35488233 PMCID: PMC9053556 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07954-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients have expressed a growing interest in having easy access to their personal health information, and internationally there has been increasing policy focus on patient and care records being more accessible. Limited research from the UK has qualitatively explored this topic from the primary care staff perspective. This study aimed to understand what primary care staff think about patients accessing electronic health records, highlighting errors in electronic health records, and providing feedback via online patient portals. METHODS A focus group study involving 19 clinical and non-clinical primary care staff. Primary care practices were purposively sampled based on practice size and the percentage of patients using online services. Data were analysed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS Three themes were generated: (1) Information - what, why and when? (2) Changing behaviours and protecting relationships, and (3) Secure access and safeguarding. The emotional considerations and consequences for staff and patients featured prominently in the data as an overarching theme. CONCLUSIONS Primary care staff described being invested and supportive of patients accessing their electronic health records, and acknowledged the numerous potential benefits for safety. Uncertainty around the parameters of access, the information available and what this might look like in the future, processes for patients highlighting errors in records, relational issues, security and safeguarding and equitable access, were key areas warranting examination in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Louch
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK.
- NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK.
| | - Abigail Albutt
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
- NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
| | - Kate Smyth
- NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, UK
| | - Jane K O'Hara
- NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, Bradford, BD9 6RJ, UK
- School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9DA, UK
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Murphy M, Wong G, Scott A, Wilson V, Salisbury C. The person-based development and realist evaluation of a summary report for GP consultations. NIHR OPEN RESEARCH 2022; 2:20. [PMID: 35935674 PMCID: PMC7613240 DOI: 10.3310/nihropenres.13258.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Use of telephone, video and e-consultations is increasing. These can make consultations more transactional. This study aimed to develop a complex intervention to address patients’ concerns more comprehensively in general practice and test the feasibility of this in a cluster-randomised framework. The complex intervention used two technologies: a patient-completed pre-consultation form used at consultation opening and a doctor-provided summary report provided at consultation closure. This paper reports on the development and realist evaluation of the summary report. Methods A person-based approach was used to develop the summary report. An electronic protocol was designed to automatically generate the report after GPs complete a clinical template in the patient record. This was tested with 45 patients in 3 rounds each, with iterative adjustments made based on feedback after each round. Subsequently, an intervention incorporating the pre-consultation form with the summary report was then tested in a cluster-randomised framework with 30 patients per practice in six practices: four randomised to intervention, and two to control. An embedded realist evaluation was carried out. The main feasibility study results are reported elsewhere. Results Conclusions The person-based approach was successful. The summary report creates clarity, empowerment and reassurance in certain consultations and patients. As it takes a few minutes per patient, GPs prefer to select patients who will benefit most.
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