In today’s fast-moving healthcare world, clear communication between hospitals and patients matters more than ever. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are transforming how this communication happens — making it faster, more open, and easier to understand. With EHRs, patients can access their own health information anytime, helping them feel more involved and confident in their care.
Why Transparency Matters
Transparency builds trust. When patients understand what’s happening with their care — their medicines, test results, and treatment plans — they feel safer and more respected. EHRs make this possible by giving both doctors and patients real-time access to accurate information.
Key Facts and Figures
In a large review of studies, 75% showed that giving patients access to their records through EHR portals led to less anxiety, better consultations, and more engagement.
Only 14% of those studies found any concerns, and 9.5% had mixed outcomes — showing strong overall support for transparency.
Hospitals using patient portals have seen fewer admissions and better therapy adherence, meaning patients are more likely to follow their care plans.
In 22% of studies reviewed, access to EHRs directly improved trust and communication between patients and healthcare teams.
How EHRs Improve Communication
Modern EHR systems go beyond storing records. They enable secure messaging, so patients can ask questions, request repeat prescriptions, or raise concerns without waiting for appointments.
They also let patients view test results, progress notes, and updates — all in one place. This not only saves time but also reduces confusion and anxiety about their treatment.
Real-time updates and alerts ensure patients are always informed about their next steps, upcoming appointments, or any changes in their care plan. This makes care smoother and more coordinated for everyone involved.
Supporting Accountability and Safety
EHRs also bring greater accountability for healthcare teams. Every action — from prescriptions to test results — is recorded and traceable, helping maintain high safety standards.
Some systems even allow incident reporting directly through the EHR, so both staff and patients can flag safety concerns or potential errors quickly and confidentially.
A Step Towards Patient-Centred Care
By encouraging open communication and information sharing, EHRs make patients active partners in their healthcare journey. They can track progress, understand treatment decisions, and build stronger trust with their care providers.
EHRs are no longer just a digital filing system — they’re a bridge between hospitals and patients, supporting honesty, safety, and collaboration.
Sources
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17538157.2021.1879810
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1252227/full
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33210371/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11618012/
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