MMA Amends Policy to Provide Exceptions to a Patient’s Ability to Access Clinical Notes

March 10, 2022

At its March 7 meeting, the MMA Board of Trustees amended existing MMA policy that supports a patient’s ability to access their clinical notes. 

The amended policy, which acknowledges two limited exceptions, was submitted to The Pulse via the MMA’s Ethics & Medical/Legal Affairs Committee.  

According to the amended policy, the MMA supports:  

“a patient’s ability to promptly access their clinical notes and other medical record information as a means to improve patient engagement in care, health literacy, and communication between patients and physicians, while recognizing the right of adolescent minors to access confidential care consistent with state and federal law. The MMA will support efforts to ensure that patient access to certain clinical results that may have the potential to cause significant physical or mental distress can be briefly restricted until the discussion of the results with the healthcare provider occurs.” 

One hundred and three members voted on the policy proposal, with 94 voting yes, three voting no and six not taking a position.  
 
The Pulse, available only to MMA members, can be used to submit policy proposals for MMA consideration, vote on policy proposals prior to MMA Board action, and provide feedback on decisions made by the MMA Board.