Investigating the impact of OpenNotes policies on healthcare disparities.
How Do OpenNotes Policies Affect Healthcare Disparities? A Computational Approach
This study is looking at how the OpenNotes policy, which lets patients see their medical records easily, can help reduce differences in healthcare for people, especially those with mental health issues, by checking how medical notes changed after the policy started.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10988715 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research examines how the OpenNotes policy, which allows patients easy access to their medical records, affects healthcare disparities. By using computational analysis, the study aims to evaluate changes in clinical documentation before and after the policy's implementation. The research will develop tools to analyze medical language, focusing on how these changes impact populations that experience health disparities, particularly in mental health. The goal is to provide empirical evidence to guide policy adjustments and improve patient care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals from minority populations who may experience healthcare disparities.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have access to electronic medical records or those not affected by healthcare disparities may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance patient understanding and engagement in their healthcare, ultimately reducing health disparities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that improving access to medical records can enhance patient engagement, but the specific impacts of OpenNotes on healthcare disparities are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zirikly, Ayah — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Zirikly, Ayah
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.