Can patients safely read their psychiatric records? Implications of freedom of information legislation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess how suitable psychiatric medical records are for access by patients.


METHODS
We examined a random selection of psychiatric records to identify features which we thought might be confusing or injurious to a patient reading his or her own record.


RESULTS
Potentially offensive, alarming or upsetting entries were found in most records.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians need to take care in recording information in medical records lest patients be adversely affected by the experience of reading their notes. Access should always be arranged in conjunction with a medical supervisor.
Bloch
S
S
Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic.
Riddell
C E
CE
Sleep
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TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D032882:Comprehension; D003219:Confidentiality; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D033283:Patient Access to Records; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D028701:Patient Rights; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D014956:Writing