We must acknowledge the expertise of physicians and their staff, including nurses and physician's assistants, among others. After all, most patients (including me) do not have the background or training for a full understanding of the contents of medical records. But we cannot deny that the information gathered, including observations and conclusions, can be the foundation of a dialogue with a singular purpose: improving the health of the patient.
Could this be a watershed moment in US healthcare? Perhaps. I believe that the coincidence of a new era of electronic medical records, along with this newstudy of the effect of patient access to physician's notes offers a rare opportunity to shift the decision-making from exclusivity in the doctor's office towards a partnership between physician and patient that can ultimately benefit both.
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