What do patients consider sensitive health information? A cross-sectional survey of national patient portal users - Summary - MDSpire

What do patients consider sensitive health information? A cross-sectional survey of national patient portal users

  • By

  • Saija Simola

  • Sari Kujala

  • Anna Kharko

  • Josefin Hagström

  • Charlotte Blease

  • Åsa Cajander

  • Rose-Mharie Åhlfeldt

  • Bo Wang

  • Bridget Kane

  • Maria Hägglund

  • June 9, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To explore patients’ perspectives on sensitive health information in their patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs) and identify types of information perceived as especially sensitive.

Approach:
    Key Findings:
    • Patients desire access to their electronic health records despite concerns about sensitive information.
    • Mental health information is often perceived as particularly sensitive by patients.
    • Concerns about privacy and security affect patients' willingness to access sensitive health information.
    Interpretation:

    Limitations:
    • The study is limited to Finnish citizens and may not be generalizable to other populations.
    • Responses were collected from a specific time frame, which may not reflect ongoing changes in patient perceptions.
    Conclusion:

Original Source(s)

What do patients consider sensitive health information? A cross-sectional survey of national patient portal users

  • by Saija Simola, Sari Kujala, Anna Kharko, Josefin Hagström, Charlotte Blease, Åsa Cajander, Rose-Mharie Åhlfeldt, Bo Wang, Bridget Kane, Maria Hägglund

  • June 9, 2026

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