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DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1743236
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Patient-Requested Corrections to the Medical Record through Use of a Patient Portal: Findings from a National Survey
Funding This study received no specific funding from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00035026/202201/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0042-1743236_210231ra-1.jpg)
Abstract
Background Providing patients with medical records access is one strategy that health systems can utilize to reduce medical errors. However, how often patients request corrections to their records on a national scale is unknown.
Objectives We aimed to develop population-level estimates of patients who request corrections to their medical records using national-level data. We also identified patient-level correlates of requesting corrections.
Methods We used the 2017 and 2019 Health Information National Trends Survey and examined all patient portal adopters. We applied jackknife replicate weights to develop population-representative estimates of the prevalence of requesting medical record corrections. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify correlates of requesting corrections while controlling for demographic factors, health care utilization patterns, health status, technology/internet use patterns, and year.
Results Across 1,657 respondents, 125 (weighted estimate: 6.5%) reported requesting corrections to their medical records. In unadjusted models, greater odds of requesting corrections were observed among patients who reported their race/ethnicity as non-Hispanic black (odds ratio [OR]: 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–4.43), had frequent portal visits (OR: 3.92, 95% CI: 1.51–10.23), and had entered data into the portal (OR: 7.51, 95% CI: 4.08–13.81). In adjusted models, we found greater odds of requesting corrections among those who reported frequent portal visits (OR: 3.39, 95% CI: 1.24–9.33) and those who reported entering data into the portal (OR: 6.43, 95% CI: 3.20–12.94). No other significant differences were observed.
Conclusion Prior to the Information Blocking Final Rule in April 2021, approximately 6.5% of patients requested corrections of errors in their medical records at the national level. Those who reported higher engagement with their health, as proxied by portal visit frequency and entering data into the portal, were more likely to request corrections.
Protection of Human and Animal Subjects
The University of Florida Institutional Review Board reviewed the protocol and approved the study as exempt.
Author Contributions
This work represents the original research of the authors. This work has not been previously published. O.T.N. and K.T. conceptualized the study. O.T.N. drafted the manuscript. O.T.N. analyzed the data. All authors participated in the interpretation of data. Y-.R.H., A.A.T., K.H., and K.T. provided critical revisions to the manuscript. All authors approved the submission.
Publication History
Received: 25 August 2021
Accepted: 31 December 2021
Article published online:
23 February 2022
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