Debate & Analysis Patients' access to their electronic record: offer patients access as soon as you can

摘要

The UK Treasury fired the starting gun for records access (RA) when it set a target: anyone who wants to should be able to have access to their electronic GP record by April 2015. IT suppliers now have this in their sights, and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has been steering the multiple stakeholders down the road to implementation. A number of factors have led to this stage. RA is no longer a technological problem: the technology has been available for some years. Thousands of patients in the UK and millions elsewhere have been using RA in various forms and the roof has not fallen in. Patient benefits, such as saving time, improved communication, and a sense of control over their health conditions, are becoming increasingly apparent. The government has become committed to open data as a means to growth. In addition the RCGP has issued guidance for clinicians.