[Should patients in general practice be offered a copy of their medical record?]

Is it useful for patients in general practice to have a copy of their medical record, and will this increase the quality of the record? What do patients and their doctors think about such a practice?

Eight general practitioners participated in a study where they should ask their patients if they wanted at copy of their medical record after the consultation. The doctors were asked about what they felt about such a practice. 181 patients participated.

126 patients (70%) wanted to read their medical record. Among these, 118 (94%) reported that the record covered the problem they came for, 104 (83%) that it was useful to read what the doctor had written, and 96 (76%) that this practice should be more common. The doctors answered that the records became somewhat changed and longer and were more time-consuming. Most of the doctors thought that the quality of the medical record improved and that the procedure could well be standardised.

The results indicate that many patients in general practice will find it useful to read their medical record. The study may indicate a better quality of the record when doctors are aware that the patients will have a copy.