Abstract
Patients are currently required to manage and use their own medical information to actively participate in their healthcare. However, there is no established system to provide and share medical information in Japan, and how it is used by staff and patients therefore remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the current attitudes of medical staff and patients to providing and sharing medical information using an internet-based survey questionnaire. Statistical analysis was used to determine the statistical significance of the differences. The results show that doctors, pharmacists and patients were similarly aware of the importance of providing medical information. Doctors had greater unease and a less positive attitude about disclosure of medical information than patients. There were differences between medical staff and patients over who should pay the cost of providing medical information. These results may be helpful in establishing a health information system in Japan in the future. Medical staff and patients do not have equal levels of accessibility to healthcare information. Medical staff should therefore provide patients’ information appropriately, and patients should strive to properly understand it and proactively make decisions on their care.
