Cancer patients who are given full access to their medical records feel a greater sense of satisfaction about their treatment, a new study finds. The French researchers also found that providing comprehensive and accurate medical information built trust between patient and doctor. Published online May 23 in the journal Cancer, the study analyzed 295 patients recently diagnosed with lymphoma, breast or colon cancer. All were being treated with chemotherapy.
The patients received either “on request information” or an organized medical record (OMR) — a briefcase full of detailed information about their condition and treatment. That information included reports on everything from surgery to radiology and pathology results, along with nurse narratives and treatment observations. Along with the OMR, they were given guides on medical terms and how to understand the material, as well as help from medical staff to decipher the various documents.
» Read more: Cancer Patients Benefit From Full Access to Medical Records
