[mikecsh]

The problem with this is that a very small minority of patients are that diligent or reliable, for various reasons (dementia, forgetfulness, disinterest, mental illness, low IQ, substance abuse, not realising the information is required, brought in by ambulance unconscious and peri-arrest, etc.).

Here in the UK patients do have responsibility for some records - notably anticoagulation records and maternity / child health records.

I have seen literally one patient present with their anticoagulation record. I have lost count of the number of patients who come to appointments without their maternity notes or child health notes.

Even trying to get an accurate medication history from a patient is near impossible and we end up having to look at past hospital discharge letters, call their GP, or look on shared record systems to try and piece together what they are taking.

I'm all for patients "owning" their records but they must be held in a way that is accessible when needed regardless of human variabilities.