Should patients be allowed to see the notes doctors take?

The vast majority of patients want to read their physicians' scribbled observations. Doctors worry that patients will get upset over what they read

A new survey suggests that 9 out of 10 patients want to see the notes their doctors scribble down during appointments.
(Image credit: Tetra Images/Corbis)

A new study called the Open Notes Project found that more than 90 percent of patients would like to see the notes their doctors write about them during appointments. Most of the more than 38,000 people surveyed in Boston, Seattle, and rural Pennsylvania said they would use that information to take greater control over their health, or as a reminder to take prescribed medication. Some — 22 percent — said they would discuss the notes with other people, including doctors, to make sure they're getting the best care. But most of the 254 doctors questioned for the study, which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, said opening their notebooks would just worry patients unnecessarily. Should you be able to read your doctor's notes?

This is a bad idea: This would force doctors to explain or defend themselves if a patient bristles at being described as "'depressed' or 'obese' or 'alcohol dependent' or 'drug dependent,'" Dr. Suzanne Salamon tells the Harvard Health Letter. Openness is important, but doctors should be able to use their notes for "uncertainties, subtle observations, and speculations... without having to worry about needlessly upsetting patients."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us