EngageEMR: Codesigning resources to promote patient and carer engagement with their hospital electronic medical record

Background: The digitisation of patient medical records through electronic medical records (EMRs) has significant implications for healthcare delivery. One key opportunity is enabling patients and families to actively engage with and contribute to their own health information. However, despite this potential, recent evidence shows that patient and family engagement with EMRs remains low. This study used a codesign approach to develop strategies aimed at enhancing patient and family involvement with the EMR.

Methods: A two-part project was conducted comprising codesign and a qualitative feasibility and acceptability consultation. 1) Codesign was conducted in two Australian states with patients and carers, healthcare providers, health information specialists, and health system representatives. Online and in-person facilitation of codesign sessions employed synchronous and asynchronous workshops, and asynchronous prototyping to create and refine two prototype resources to promote engagement with EMRs. 2) Focus groups and interviews subsequently assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the codesigned strategies.

Results: In all, 47 consumers and 22 healthcare providers participated (n = 69); 31 in codesign and 38 in the feasibility study. Two resources were codesigned: the EngageEMR Consumer Information Video and the EngageEMR Infographic to provide information about EMRs for consumers. The EngageEMR Consumer Information Video provides visual, brief information about EMRs, their purpose and the ways in which consumers can interact with and use these systems in their care. The EngageEMR Infographic provides in-depth content about a range of aspects of EMRs and their distinction from other clinical information systems and services. Focus group and interview participants indicated the tools are valued and feasible for use.

Conclusions: Accessible, consumer-facing information about the purpose of EMRs and opportunities for their use during care is limited. The codesigned strategies provide an opportunity for people accessing hospital care to better understand and utilise their health information. Using such tools may enhance safety and quality of care, particularly among populations who are at greater risk of low-quality care. Evaluative studies are required to determine the effectiveness of the resources for improving knowledge about EMRs, self-efficacy arising from their use, and their contribution to better quality care.