Patients’ health records in research: perceptions and preferences of patients in Bida, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The patient’s health records is growing daily as a major source of information for health research; and

evidences have shown that much healthcare research depend largely on these records. However, there have been reports of unguided and unguarded access to these records and increased awareness among the patients, who are the subjects of the records.

Objectives: To determine participants’ level of awareness on the use of their health records in research and to define their preferences in granting consents for such uses.

Methods: This cross-sectional study deployed stratified random sampling in the recruitment of 383 participants.

Results: Nearly two-fifth (39.8%) of participants understood ownership of health records, most (85.3%) were confident that their health record is well protected in the hospital and many of them (77.7%) knew that their healthcare providers use their health records for research purposes. More than half (55%) would want to be asked for consent each time their health records are to be used in research and they would feel disappointed (51.6%) when such use took place without their consent.

Conclusion: Patients who access care at Federal Medical Centre, Bida were confident of security of their records in the hospital; they are equally aware of the use of their health records in research especially by their caregivers but would frown at any use in research without their consent. They would always want to be contacted each time their health record is to be used in research. Therefore, there is a need to obtain consent from patients at the time of services that their health records could be used for research purposes.

Key words: Patients; Health Records; Health Services Research; Informed Consent; Nigeria.