Sharing problem cards with patients.

The problem cards of 100 patients in a group practice were shared and discussed with the patients concerned. The patients then completed a questionnaire recording their reactions to the experience. Although the sharing of problem cards can cause patients to become anxious and raises the questions of confidentiality, patients' rights and autonomy, the replies to the questionnaire demonstrate that patients valued seeing their problem lists. Sharing problem cards gave patients an opportunity to review their health needs and in some cases to correct inaccurate information although the lists of problems were found to be reasonably accurate.The results of this experiment show that sharing problem cards with patients has a beneficial effect on the accuracy of the records and could increase the trust between doctor and patient.