Open Notes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Open Notes?

Open Notes gives you access to the health care notes that your doctors and other providers write during or after your appointment.  

Why would I want to read my notes?

Patients who read their notes feel like they are more in control of their care.  They have a better understanding of their health and medical conditions and improved recall of their care plan.

How do I know if my doctor uses Open Notes?

Doctors who see patients at Stanford Health Care Primary Care clinics and Cancer Center clinics are using Open Notes. Only notes completed after 12/23/14 are available to view. 

Where do I find my notes in MyHealth?

Your note is available as part of your past appointment summary on the MyHealth website (notes are not yet available in the MyHealth mobile app).

Select Appointments, then Past, then the visit you're interested in reviewing.

How soon after an appointment will I be able to see my notes?

Your note will be available when your care team has finalized all documentation.

Why can't I see any of my notes or a specific note I expected to see in MyHealth?

There are a few reasons why you may not see a note in MyHealth:

  • The note may have been written before Open Notes started.
  • Your doctor may not yet be sharing notes.
  • The note may not be ready. After your doctor makes the note final, it will become available for you to view.
  • Your doctor may have chosen not to share this particular note. Please contact your clinic for more information.

*If you would like to read notes that are not available on MyHealth, please note that you have the legal right to request your medical records. Visit the Stanford Heath Care Medical Records Department for more information.

How will I know if I have a new note?

When your note is available, you’ll get an email letting you know you have a new message in MyHealth. The MyHealth message will let you know which visit has a new note available for you to read.

What if I have questions about the information in the note?

The note is part of your medical record. Doctors use the note to document your care and to communicate with other medical professionals so you may see unfamiliar abbreviations or terms.  MyHealth has resources to help you: you can search the MyHealth Health Library for information about conditions, medications, results and more.  You can also request personalized information at no charge, for medical or health-related questions from the Stanford Health Library. Or, you can use a MyHealth message to ask for specific information from your care team. 
 

Whom should I contact if I have concerns about my note or if I found an error?

If you have concerns about your note, you can use a MyHealth message to contact the author, or you can call the clinic where you were seen. For non-urgent concerns, you may choose to talk to your care giver in person at your next appointment. 

If you wish to amend your medical record, please contact the Stanford Health Care Medical Records Department at 650-723-5721.

Can I share my note with others?

Any interaction between you and your health care provider is confidential. However, you may choose to share notes with your family members, caregivers or others involved in your care and discuss how you are going to work together to carry out your plans.

If you’d like to allow someone else to access your information through MyHealth, you can grant them access by dropping off or filling out a Share Access form next time you visit. Learn more about Share Access here.

How can I send general suggestions or feedback about Open Notes at Stanford Health Care?

Please send comments or suggestions about Open Notes through MyHealth in the "Messaging" tab to "Customer Service."  Your feedback about your experience with MyHealth is very important us.