Patients Typing Their Own Visit Agendas Into an Electronic Medical Record: Pilot in a Safety-Net Clinic

Ann Fam Med. 2017 Mar;15(2):158-161. doi: 10.1370/afm.2036.

Abstract

Collaborative visit agenda setting between patient and doctor is recommended. We assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and utility of patients attending a large primary care safety-net clinic typing their agendas into the electronic visit note before seeing their clinicians. One hundred and one patients and their 28 clinicians completed post-visit surveys. Patients and clinicians agreed that the agendas improved patient-clinician communication (patients 79%, clinician 74%), and wanted to continue having patients type agendas in the future (73%, 82%). Enabling patients to type visit agendas may enhance care by engaging patients and giving clinicians an efficient way to prioritize patients' concerns.

Keywords: electronic medical records; patient-provider communication; self-management.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Communication*
  • Electronic Health Records*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Participation / methods*
  • Physician-Patient Relations*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Safety-net Providers
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • Young Adult