Citizens' Access to Online Health Information - An International Survey of IMIA Member Countries.

Citizens' access to their online health information is pivotal. Therefore, this study examines citizens' access to their online health information across countries and healthcare settings. The study is based on a survey design targeting the 98 IMIA representatives of the national societies. Results indicate that Test results and Medications are the two types of online information that citizens in most cases have access to. Ten countries provide citizens access to all the different types of information included in the study. That relatively few countries provide citizens access to all the included types of online health information underscores the importance of continuous emphasis on accessibility and research within this field.

Is Sharing Caring?

The benefits and consequences of patient access to health records.

High-value referrals: learning from challenges and opportunities of the COVID-19 pandemic: concept paper

The referral system is a crucial component of health care systems, aiming to ensure patient access to specialist health care when needed, while maintaining resource efficiency. This concept paper examines various referral types, with a focus on high-value referrals that minimize wasteful activities. Referral is defined as a dynamic process in which a health professional at one level of the health system – having insufficient resources or power to decide on the management of a patient’s clinical condition – seeks the help of another facility at the same or higher level to assist in the care pathway. A series of indicators are proposed to monitor and benchmark different referral systems, considering presential and non-presential referrals (including e-referrals) and classifying referrals by reason. The concept paper outlines the roles of referral system components, current issues, errors in practice, and suggestions for improvement. As part of the research, we conducted interviews with managers in different European health systems (Estonia, Italy, Malta, Spain) to learn about how they leveraged or changed referrals during the pandemic and which changes they would propose. While no single “best” referral system exists, a set of good practices and their driving and inhibiting factors were identified, allowing stakeholders at different levels of the health system to assess how best to collaborate and integrate these practices into service provision. The report lists a series of 80+ potential areas for action to improve referral systems, classified by system components.

Open notes in patient care: confining deceptive placebos to the past?

Increasing numbers of health organisations are offering some or all of their patients access to the visit notes housed in their electronic health records (so-called 'open notes'). In some countries, including Sweden and the USA, this innovation is advanced with patients using online portals to access their clinical records including the visit summaries written by clinicians. In many countries, patients can legally request copies of their records; however, open notes are different because this innovation offers patients rapid, real-time access via electronic devices. In this brief report, we explore what open notes might mean for placebo use in clinical care. Survey research into patient access to their clinical notes shows that increased transparency enhances patients' understanding about their medications and augments engagement with their care. We reflect on the consequences of access for placebo prescribing, particularly for the common practice of deceptive placebo use, in which patients are not aware they are being offered a placebo. In addition, we explore how open notes might facilitate placebo and nocebo effects among patients. Bridging placebo studies with medical ethics, we identify a range of empirical research gaps that now warrant further study.

Patient Perceptions of Drive-through Medical Treatment Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The cumulative burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the United States' healthcare system is substantial. To help mitigate this burden, novel solutions including telehealth and dedicated screening facilities have been used. However, there is limited data on the efficacy of such models and none assessing patient comfort levels with these changes in healthcare delivery. The aim of our study was to evaluate patients' perceptions of a drive-through medical treatment system in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Patients presenting to a drive-through COVID-19 medical treatment facility were surveyed about their experience following their visit. An anonymous questionnaire consisting of five questions, using a five-point Likert scale was distributed via electronic tablet. RESULTS: We obtained 827 responses over two months. Three quarters of respondents believed care received was similar to that in a traditional emergency department (ED). Overall positive impression of the drive-through was 86.6%, and 95% believed that it was more convenient. CONCLUSION: Overall, the drive-through medical system was perceived as more convenient than the ED and was viewed as a positive experience. While representing a dramatic change in the delivery model of medical care, if such systems can provide comparable levels of care, they may be a viable option for sustained and surge healthcare delivery.