They are biting!

I may sound amazed, but three responses of interest on the same day we publicise Medical Records Access via our small 'virtual' Patient Participation Group.

Our customers never cease to amaze me.

I am sending them all a more detailed leaflet to see if what we offer is really of interest - and what they think of my leaflet!

25th Nov

Waiting Game

The worm is on the hook, and dangled in the water. Now it is a waiting game.

It does give me time to finalise questions for the first enthusiasts. I have decided that I will only ask 5 questions, and to post them 'on-line' rather than expect paper replies. Now sifting through questions that other advocates have asked, to see what I will copy or adapt.

Current favourites areas are:

• Why have you agreed to try this system?
• What do you expect to get out of the experience?
• What on-line health services have you used before?
• Do you have any security concerns?
• What other on-line services from the surgery would interest you?

Then I will have to follow-up with questions about the technical, security and usability aspects. Just need a few fish on the bank first...

23rd November

Ready or not…….

I may live to regret this, but with the approval and support of my practice manager, we have placed our first batch of leaflets about patient access to medical records in the waiting room!

Why the hurry? Well I can always find excuses NOT to do things – sitting beside me is an exercise bicycle that is the perfect example. So perhaps a bit of interest and direct pressure from my patients will be the next stimulus I need.

I have spent some time producing a suite of information sheets, a mixture of the glossy and the informative (playing). They will probably need to be edited in future – but in response to the patient comments I get. They have already been reviewed for basic language errors, and made more patient friendly. I have borrowed a few items from other surgery leaflets, and will aim to publish our versions soon through this site! Would that be of use to anyone?

We have settled on a very old fashioned idea of requesting signed consent – not an approach I want to last very long, but it may make people take the responsibility seriously. I will now work hurriedly on the questions to ask those who wish to take part, some before they start record access, and a repeat set when they have gained some experience.

At the same time we seem to be rapidly gathering interest in a ‘virtual’ patient participation group. It certainly will open contact with our surgery to many who cannot spare the time for fixed evening meetings – and gives me a captive audience for a future publicity/recruitment drive.

Who will be my first ‘customer’?.........

When will I get on my bike?.........

The ‘Martini’ experience?

I am showing my age by quoting an advert for a ‘well known beverage’ that dates back to the 1970’s and 80’s, but the slogan reflects a change in attitude to information access – ‘any time, any place, anywhere.’

The 20^th century attitude to information challenges assumptions and boundaries, particularly with the experience, ambition and interest of a younger ‘IT wired’ generation – citizens, patients and clinicians. But they are hastening changes across all age groups, the working generations and those in retirement who can utilize technology at their leisure.

The technical innovations are playing a significant part in breaking down the barriers to access information through ‘user friendly’ devices and interfaces.

So how does this ‘information revolution’ challenge the traditional GP medical record use?

Well there is clearly an expectation for relevant medical information to be available to clinicians treating patients – when sadly the NHS and other care organisations have been frustratingly slow in making this happen. But catching up fast is this additional expectation for patients to share, understand and be involved in this process. Indeed, where it has for years proved challenging to efficiently share health records between organisations, individuals and locations, patients having access to records could have a significant impact.

My children are lost without an electrical communication device on them – so it is likely to be through these mobile devices they choose to interact with health professionals and medical records (and parents…).

Computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones – take your pick! Thank you Steve Jobs.

And the technology does work – even if I need glasses and patience on a smartphone – see the picture below.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse have (of course) given permission for their records to be displayed – they are very broad minded and co-operative rodents….

Rodent Medical records on-line

Mickey and Minnie Mouse are two of the most interesting patients on my practice list. They have a range of bizarre illnesses, complex histories, multiple medications, allergies and immunisations!

I expect most GP surgeries have a Minnie and Mickey, or 'patients' like them. They are 'dummy' patient records where we practice electronic record use, and train new staff.

Well I am delighted to announce that this couple are the first from my surgery to have the benefit of 'electronic record access'. And how do they feel about the process and experience? Well I have not had a squeak of complaint from them yet. The registration process at the surgery was straightforward, they have an identity number and password to enter the appointment and medication requesting section via the surgery website. There is an additional password requirement to get into the medical record section, and being forgetful mice, they share the same 'easy to remember' password. (I will have to consider giving advice about secure passwords)

I am very grateful that they have given me verbal permission to use their records to demonstrate the reality to others, and to test that the system works!

For those with an interest in finding out more about records access, there are a number of individuals in England who have long experience and are happy to share knowledge and lessons through websites. I would suggest Brian Fisher who is a longstanding respected advocate of patient access to health information, and was one of the founders of PAERS   (www.paers.net), and Amir Hannan a GP in Glossop who hosts a highly informative and interactive website (www.htmc.co.uk)

But more to come from my more 'skeptical' practice in future notes, and a glimpse of what is available about ‘Minnie & Mickey’ on-line.