Health Information Portal Case Studies

Patient feedback.

“I think the main worry really is if the information is not correct…I think that’s more of a worry than if someone can actually access your details.”

“You can just sort of go the parts that you want…it’s quicker, because it’s compartmentalised”

"Comfort levels were generally high. The system was described as very straightforward to use, “I’m not really a computer person but its simple enough.”

“You don’t have to be a genius with computers to access the information on there.”

On the other hand: “Do you honestly think it’s necessary that somebody of my age should start looking at this?”

“It just meant that in the time it would have taken somebody normally to use it, she took about 3 person’s goes.”

"...access to EPR can save time in the consultation. ‘helps you to be more precise as details of dates and symptoms can be easily retrieved, rather than having to ‘repeat long, laboured details of what was wrong with you"

Practice Feedback

“HIP helps patients to gain the confidence to obtain health information for themselves.”
Wendy Sunney, Practice Manager

“HIP has given our patients independence, and enabled them to take positive steps towards managing their own health.”
Val Beattie, Practice Manager

View a power point presentation from Wendy Sunney detailing the success of the Information portals in her practices.

Case Study

Patient information – a powerful prescription

A revolutionary new system giving patients electronic access to their medical records is proving that sharing information can significantly improve the doctor-patient relationship.

New research into the pioneering Patient Access to Electronic Records System (PAERS) shows that it helps patients understand their condition better, makes them feel more empowered and helps them to get more out of their visit to the GP.

Launched just over a year ago, PAERS information kiosks are now installed in thirteen English practices.

Using fingerprint recognition technology, the kiosks enable patients to explore their entire medical history – including test results and consultation notes – and to print off a copy. In conjunction with ‘Automated Arrivals’ kiosks they allow patients to ‘arrive’ themselves for a GP appointment, rather than queue at reception.

PAERS is the result of a partnership between EMIS, which supplies the patient data and systems, and three forward-thinking doctors who invented the kiosk: Dr Brian Fisher (a GP at Wells Park Surgery, Sydenham), Dr Fraser Booth (a hospital doctor in Brighton) and Dr Lachlan Clark (now a technical manager for an IT company).

Research into the system has shown that patients view their records for a range of reasons – to check test results, recap on recent medication, find information (for example, to complete an insurance or housing form), or check for inaccuracies.

Dr Brian Fisher has been giving patients access to their records for 20 years. His Wells Park Surgery, which has just over 8,000 patients, was one of the first to install a PAERS kiosk. Around1,500 patients have now registered to use the system.

Explaining the key findings of recent research, he said: “Patients say they get a better understanding of their condition when they see their complete medical record – it helps them to put the different pieces of the jigsaw together.

“They also say that seeing things in black and white can underline the seriousness of a particular condition.

“Having access to their records also helps patients to prepare better for their consultation and therefore to get more out of it; for example, they can recap on recent treatment or clarify something on their record.”

He added: “Patients also identified the kiosks as a good reason to stay with a particular practice, which represents a good marketing opportunity.”

From the practice’s point of view, PAERS kiosks also provide many practical benefits. The self check-in process cuts down on queues at the reception desk, and GPs are able to use consultation time more effectively as patients become better informed about their medical history.

The kiosks have also been proven to improve doctor-patient relations. An independent survey of patients at Wells Park Surgery last year showed that:

78% of patients who used the PAERS kiosk said that having access to their records had broken down barriers between themselves and their GP
69% of users said access had given them more confidence in their doctors
74% said using the system had resulted in a better understanding of how their doctors think.

The PAERS team are now working with EMIS on proposals to expand the service to give patients internet access to their medical records; this is something patients themselves have requested in recent research. Patients also said they would like to be able to add their own viewpoint to the record (for example, explaining why they felt they had contracted a particular condition.)

There are also plans to expand the range of services available through the kiosks such as the addition of monitoring equipment, booking appointments electronically and ordering repeat prescriptions.