Medical Records Research

As a Mayo Clinic patient, you have several opportunities to participate in medical research. You can volunteer for a research study, participate on a board or council, or authorize Mayo to use information from your medical records.

Medical records research helps us to find ways to improve health and health care for our patients and the community. We can study how diseases progress and how to stop them. We can also find out which treatments and surgeries work best.

Only approved researchers, using secure computer systems, can see your information. No personal information is shared with employers, insurance companies or anyone not involved in the research. We only publish anonymous information in medical journals.

Minnesota law requires that Mayo Clinic ask patients for permission before using their medical records for research. This is called "authorization". Therefore, we make every effort to obtain authorization. Mayo Clinic provides two opportunities for patients to make a decision. If you do not respond to the first request, Mayo will send you a second letter. If you do not respond to the second request, Mayo Clinic is allowed by law to use your records for research. Read more about medical records and medical research.

Research using medical records is an important part of Mayo's commitment to excellence in patient care. Medical care could not have advanced as far as it has without this type of research. We hope that you will help in our mission to provide the best possible medical care to you, your family and the community by agreeing to allow the use of your medical information.

Questions?

507-293-3550

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