BIDMC Grant for Electronic Medical Records

The sharing of electronic medical records among doctors and patients has the potential to revolutionize health care.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, Mass., is the teaching hospital for Harvard University Medical School. In 2010, the hospital received a $1.4 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to evaluate the impact of electronic medical records on patients and physicians.

The Grant Project

The electronic medical records grant, called the OpenNotes Project, will span 12 months of analysis of patient and physician observations and activity regarding shared online medical record portals. The study will include 100 primary care doctors and 25,000 patients at BIDMC.

Project Objectives

In a June 7, 2010 report on the BIDMC website, primary care physician Dr. Tom Delbanco explains that the OpenNotes project is expected to "improve patient recall, help patients take more responsibility for their care, and offer an opportunity for avoiding potential medical errors." Ultimately, BIDMC hopes that allowing patients to read their doctor's notes will break down barriers between patient and doctor.

The Funder

This grant was made possible though the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Pioneer Portfolio program. This competition seeks future-oriented and innovative solutions to health care issues in America. The goal of the Foundation is help Americans lead healthier lives.

References

• BIDMC: OpenNotes Study