My Electronic Health Record is wrong, now what? The impact of EHRrors on patients and healthcare professionals

Research problem and specific questionsElectronic health records (EHRs) have become central to patient-centred healthcare in Sweden. EHRs aid healthcare professionals (HCPs) in patient engagement and empower patients to make informed care decisions.

But EHRs are full of errors, or so-called EHRrors.EHRrors can range from inaccuracies to critically omitted information, and they are common.

By some estimates, every second patient has found an EHRror, and while many HCPs expect EHRrors, patients likely do not. Research on what types of EHR data is erroneous and which patients are likely to experience them is limited to the US. Little is known about EHRrors in Sweden, as well as about their impact on patients and HCPs.

The aim of the project is to address this critical knowledge gap through four research questions (RQs):RQ 1. What types of EHR information have patients identified as incorrect, inaccurate or critically omitted?RQ 2. What is the effect, if any, of gender, age, and diagnoses on the encounter of different EHRror types?RQ 3.

What impact, if any, do EHRrors have on patients, focusing on the use of 1177 Journalen, relationship with HCPs, and healthcare experience?RQ 4.

What impact, if any, do EHRrors have on HCPs, focusing on work environment, relationship with patients, and medicolegal concerns?Data and methodThree studies are planned:Study 1. Analysis of existing data on EHRrors in SwedenStudy 2.

Collection of EHRrors types examples through an online survey, and multilevel modelling analysis of the patient-reported and EHR-extracted characteristics to determine factors associated with increased likelihood of EHRror encounter.Study 3.

Focus groups with patients and HCPs to determine the multifaceted impact of EHRrors.Societal relevance and utilisationThe project is of high societal relevance as EHRrors pose a significant patient-safety risk due to undermining the quality assurance work of HCPs and likely negatively affect their work environment.

The project will co-produce educational materials (EHRrors Databank and EHRrors Case Vignettes) based on an evidence-driven EHRrors Classification Framework, which will contribute to public awareness, continued training of HCPs, and inform policy update.Plan for project realisationThe project will employ an interdisciplinary approach, soliciting the expertise of the members of the wider community including patients, clinicians, industry and research advisors.