ABSTRACT
The primary aim of this study was to describe how patient-held-records was used in the regional palliative care program (OPTIM-study). The number of patient-held-records disseminated was 1,131 per region per year. A total of 15% and 16% of 706 physicians and 2,236 nurses in the region reported that they used patient-held-records disseminated during the study periods, respectively. In-depth interview identified themes [difficulty in dissemination], potential benefits of patient-held-records ([improved sense-of-control of patients], [improved information sharing among health care professionals]), and barriers ([lack of patient-perceived benefits and patient burden], [necessity that all health care professionals involved should be aware the value of patient-held-records and understand how to use it]). Of 11 hospitals who introduced patient-held-records, only 2 hospitals continued to use it during 3-year study periods. In conclusion, region-wide dissemination of patient-held-records seems to be unfeasible in many regions in Japan.