Background: Is it useful for patients in general practice to have a copy of their medical record, and will this increase the quality of the record? What do patients and their doctors think about such a practice?
Material and methods: Eight general practitioners participated in a study where they should ask their patients if they wanted at copy of their medical record after the consultation. The doctors were asked about what they felt about such a practice. 181 patients participated.
Results: 126 patients (70%) wanted to read their medical record. Among these, 118 (94%) reported that the record covered the problem they came for, 104 (83%) that it was useful to read what the doctor had written, and 96 (76%) that this practice should be more common. The doctors answered that the records became somewhat changed and longer and were more time-consuming. Most of the doctors thought that the quality of the medical record improved and that the procedure could well be standardised.
Interpretation: The results indicate that many patients in general practice will find it useful to read their medical record. The study may indicate a better quality of the record when doctors are aware that the patients will have a copy.