Medical records: practicalities and principles of patient possession

M L Gilhooly; S M McGhee

doi:10.1136/jme.17.3.138

Medical records: practicalities and principles of patient possession

J Med Ethics. 1991 Sep;17(3):138-43. doi: 10.1136/jme.17.3.138.

Authors

M L Gilhooly¹, S M McGhee

Affiliation

¹ University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This review of issues and research is in two parts: 1) practical problems surrounding patient-held records and 2) ethical arguments for and against patient-held records. We argue that research on patient-held records indicates that there are no substantial practical drawbacks and considerable ethical benefits to be derived from giving patients custody of their medical records.

MeSH terms

Comprehension
Confidentiality
Ethics, Medical*
Forms and Records Control
Medical Records* / legislation & jurisprudence
Patient Access to Records*
Patient Advocacy
Patient Participation* / legislation & jurisprudence
Patient Rights*
Personal Autonomy
Physician-Patient Relations
Risk Assessment*
United Kingdom