Unexpected online access to therapist notes surprises patients

Health systems are increasingly uploading therapists’ progress reports to online patient portals, prompting unexpected reactions from some patients. This step towards digital transparency is intended to foster better patient engagement in their mental health care by providing them with direct access to session notes.

However, the initiative has also raised concerns about privacy and the emotional impact on patients who may not be prepared to see detailed and sometimes critical assessments of their psychological profiles. For example, Jeffrey, a 76-year-old patient, shared his disturbing experience of finding his treatment notes online, which included deeply personal details and assessments of his mental health.

This development in the healthcare sector raises important questions about the balance between the accessibility of information and the need to protect patient sensitivities, highlighting the current challenges in managing mental health information in the digital age.