Using the Electronic Health Record to Facilitate Patient-Physician Relationship While Establishing Care

PLAIN LANGUAGE ARTICLE SUMMARY

Innovations in Primary Care

EHR Messaging Strengthens Patient-Physician Connection Before First Visit 

Inspired by the VA’s My Life, My Story project, this initiative used the electronic health record (EHR) to strengthen the patient-physician relationship by inviting patients to share personal narratives before their first visit with a new primary care physician. Conducted at a regional clinic affiliated with the University of Wisconsin, the project involved sending secure messages to patients, asking them to describe what they wanted their health care team to know about them as a person. The majority of patients responded positively, with some sharing deeply personal information that may not have surfaced during a typical clinical encounter. The study physician  reported that these narratives fostered a stronger connection with patients, facilitated more effective agenda setting, and improved the overall efficiency of the visit.    

Using the Electronic Health Record to Facilitate Patient-Physician Relationship While Establishing Care 

Samantha Barbour, et al

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin