What is the primary purpose of allowing patients access to their health records?

The primary purpose of allowing patients access to their health records is to empower patients to manage their healthcare. When patients have access to their health information, they can become more engaged in their own care, leading to better health outcomes. This access promotes transparency, facilitates informed decision-making, and encourages patients to take an active role in managing their health conditions.

Empowering patients means they can review their medical history, understand their treatment options, and stay informed about preventive measures and health recommendations. This engagement can enhance communication with healthcare providers and ensure that patients feel more in control of their health journey.

While reducing the workload of healthcare providers, enabling faster billing processes, and facilitating access for insurance companies may be secondary benefits of patient access to health records, the main goal focuses on enhancing patient involvement and authority over their healthcare decisions.