PATIENTS’ DIRECT ACCESS TO THEIR ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD USING THE INTERNET: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Patient-accessible medical record is an important element of evolution in the patient-physician relationship: patients want to become more active in their health care process. We want to highlight the results of studies that analyse the impact of patients having access to their electronic medical record using the Internet on patients, on physicians and on their relationship. The studies were identified using “Pub Med” and “Web of Knowledge”. The search was limited to articles published between 2000 and October 2012. We focused on articles about patients accessing, through Internet, their electronic medical record that are created and filled in by physicians. 26 studies were selected and analysed. Quantitative data were obtained through questionnaires, analysis of the log-ins and analysis of the records, while qualitative data were obtained through interviews and focus groups. The specificity of our review refers to the electronic means through which patients access their electronic medical (and particularly Internet).