Legers erfaring med pasienttilgang til elektronisk sykehusjournal

Abstract

Background: In many countries, patient access to electronic health records (PAEHR), have been or are about to be introduced. So also, in Norway. One hopes that this will increase patient ́s involvement in their own health. Aim:This study aims to learn about doctor ́s experience with PAEHR after three years in a hospital in Norway.Selection and method:This is a qualitative study where eight doctors have been interviewed about their experience with PAEHR. The analysis has been done with the help of “technological frames” as a means to understand information technology and how people interact with it. Result:The study shows that the doctors worried that patients would get more upset about reading their record, rather than becoming more knowledgeable. Most ofthe informants had changed some of the way in which they were writingand usingthe medical record. The doctors used the possibility to not sign documents when they didn ́t want patients to read something before they were told personally. The work load had not increased. Most informants had not experienced that patients had read their notes, especially the day-to-day-notes. Most of the findings in this study matchfindingsfrom earlier studies. Conclusion:It seems like the PAEHR has not fully met itspotential. There is an incongruence in what the doctors think about the technology and what the meaning of the patient access is. The doctors think about the electronic journal as their work tool and seeno intention in changing that. It also seems thatfew patients are reading their own record. It can seem thatmore information has to be given out to patients and doctors, and that maybe one must consider redesigning the medical journal in the patient portal. Key words: PAEHR, physicians experience, user-involvement