The Role of Framing and Choice Architecture in Patients' Reactions and EHR Error Discovery and Reporting

The first goal of our research is to understand the effects of different wordings of certain messages on patients' engagement in reviewing their electronic health records (EHRs). These messages will be about EHR errors and their potential consequences, as well as the benefits that might accrue from reviewing EHRs. The second goal is to understand the effects of different wordings of certain messages on patients' discovery and reporting of potential errors in their electronic health records (EHRs). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does focusing on the negative OR positive consequences of EHR errors in the investigator's messages to people, increase their likelihood of reviewing their EHRs? 2. Does focusing on the negative OR positive consequences of EHR errors in the investigators' messages to people, increase their likelihood of discovery and reporting of potential errors in their EHRs? First, participants will take an initial short online survey (for about 5 minutes). Next, participants will be asked to log into their patient portal and review their EHRs, a process that should take around 10 minutes. Finally, they will proceed with the same survey for an additional 5 minutes, providing responses about their healthcare provider, patient portals, EHR errors, and some basic demographic details.

NCT Number	NCT07206550
Lead Sponsor	The University of Texas at Dallas Collaborators: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, University of Pennsylvania
Conditions	Electronic Health Records
Enrollment	3,000 participants
Start Date	2025-11-26
Primary Completion	2026-07-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-08-10 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-06-03