Today I reorganized my medical records. I started getting copies of them when I was in college. It was at this time that I was diagnosed with a medical condition that required surgery for a cure. That is pretty shocking. I decided that after several years of doctors’ testing and untimely diagnosis I must see what is being written about me.
By getting a copy my medical record from that doctor, I was more informed. Thereafter I continued to get copies of my medical records including blood tests and all other tests as well as surgery notes. I also started doing it for my parents and my whole family. Your medical record is the cornerstone and foundation of your medical care. It is the most important communication aside from direct patient to doctor conversation.
It sure would be nice to write it all down. The doctor writes, types, or dictates as much as possible. This important conversation including what is found on the physical exam, the diagnosis/ diagnoses, an assessment of tests done, and a plan for treatment is documented by writing, typing, or dictating. That is a lot of information to document. Accuracy is of utmost importance. The medical record is the communication tool used by all your health care providers.
It is only right that you should be able to see your medical record about you. Checking for accuracy and information in your records is important. It is empowering. It makes you want to take the best care of yourself, and be able to talk more openly to your doctor about it. I have found this to be true amongst patients that keep their medical records. I have seen medical errors avoided. I have learned more from patients about their own medical conditions because they read about them.
The best way to obtain your medical record is to obtain a record release form. Your doctors’ office should have this document. Ask for it. After completion return it to the person in charge of medical records at the office, hospital, or other medical care facility via mail, fax, or in person. A copy of the medical record is sent directly from the office, or it may be sent from a company that sends out medical records. How this is done is beyond me especially when the company is in another state. Getting the record directly from the health care provider seems easiest for the patient.
Sadly, you may have to pay for your records. It is best to get copies from your doctor at the time of your visit. Most doctors have it finished by the time you leave. When tests are ordered, the results can be faxed or mailed after your doctor talks to you about the results. This may avoid costs, and help ensure timely follow-up. I have found some doctors’ offices automatically give you this information. How nice!
Medical record retrieval can be challenging, but rewarding. Keeping current with your health is your job. You are your most important asset.
Information on obtaining a medical record release form can be found at http://www.mypatienthandbook.com/ under “Patient Tools”. Then reconnect to the blog spot. Happy blogging!
jueves, 7 de agosto de 2008
miércoles, 6 de agosto de 2008
Prevention Guideline Changes
Should we follow preventive guidelines recommended by a single source, or by our individual medical history? I heard on the news this week that the USPTF (United States Preventive Task Force) no longer recommends screening for prostate cancer with the PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test in men aged over 75. I was shocked to hear that a few years ago it discontinued monthly self breast exams (SBE).
These are easy, cheap ways to screen for cancer. The breast exam you can even do yourself. For those who are unable to get mammogram the self breast exam can be helpful. As for the PSA it is felt that men usually don’t live much longer than 10 years after turning 75. In addition, it is felt that the cancer grows so slowly that the cause of death will be from something else. Then there are the side effects of cancer treatment in someone over 70.
This type of age discrimination in health care occurs much earlier, in the 60s. If you get too many illnesses too young in life, health discrimination may be seen earlier. Women have faced this forever. We are guesstimated to live longer lives these days, into the hundreds. Why stop screening for age, sex, or chronic illness? When we choose to do so, will the system allow this without extra cost to us for life saving tests that are so cheap? Bottom line – human individuality deserves custom made prevention plans based on personal and family medical history.
See the previous blog here (5/14/07) entitled “Missed Diagnosis”. Cancer is the most missed diagnosis! Cancer prevention tests are outlined in this blog. Decide what’s best for you and discuss it openly with your health care providers. Ask them what they would do for themselves. It is very important for us to learn as much as possible about wellness, disease prevention, and disease management.
These are easy, cheap ways to screen for cancer. The breast exam you can even do yourself. For those who are unable to get mammogram the self breast exam can be helpful. As for the PSA it is felt that men usually don’t live much longer than 10 years after turning 75. In addition, it is felt that the cancer grows so slowly that the cause of death will be from something else. Then there are the side effects of cancer treatment in someone over 70.
This type of age discrimination in health care occurs much earlier, in the 60s. If you get too many illnesses too young in life, health discrimination may be seen earlier. Women have faced this forever. We are guesstimated to live longer lives these days, into the hundreds. Why stop screening for age, sex, or chronic illness? When we choose to do so, will the system allow this without extra cost to us for life saving tests that are so cheap? Bottom line – human individuality deserves custom made prevention plans based on personal and family medical history.
See the previous blog here (5/14/07) entitled “Missed Diagnosis”. Cancer is the most missed diagnosis! Cancer prevention tests are outlined in this blog. Decide what’s best for you and discuss it openly with your health care providers. Ask them what they would do for themselves. It is very important for us to learn as much as possible about wellness, disease prevention, and disease management.
domingo, 3 de agosto de 2008
Preventive Testing Lifestyle Change
Do lifestyle changes (like proper diet, low weight, exercise, avoidance of tobacco, etc.) really keep the hypertension and high cholesterol under control if it runs in your family? Genetic disposition to diseases is tough to beat. My own health issues that have been inherited have been resistant to my ongoing 30 year regimen of proper health recommendations - and new ones are popping up earlier than in my ancestors. My cholesterol remains high, and now high blood pressure is staring me in the face. Medication has been required as I continue to do all the other right things. Has this happened to you? Please blog with me about it.
As a physician in training I recognized that prevention also includes routine checkups , and screening tests. When you get a heart scan that shows heart disease, or a self breast exam that turns up a lump, or a prostate blood test that shows cancer, you usually get more testing and treatment. It seems as if checking yourself routinely before disease that you know runs in your family is the best and right thing to do. Is it? What if something that doesn't run in the family shows up? Early detection can very critical. You can be cured and your quality of life can be better.
If you are at risk for some disease whether or not it is inherited, why not check for it early? This brings to mind the recent news about the rise of AIDS and HIV in the world. I think everyone should be checked for it. After all most routine blood tests include a syphilis test. Society has made individuals "afraid" to be HIV positive; therefore, the secrecy surrounding this makes people less likely to talk about it let alone be honest about it.
Wake up world! Get checked for everything you possibly can that is available. It's your life. To those lifestyle changes like weight control, exercise, proper diet, etc., add routine total body checkups.
Ideally, your health care provider should be helping you. Help yourself and your health care provider by reading "Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal "112 page" Health Guide". www.mypatienthandbook.com. Preview pages at www.books.google.com. Information on routine physical exams, and preventive tests are detailed. Make this another lifestyle change to improve your life.
Great health is true wealth! Best health, Dr. Joan
As a physician in training I recognized that prevention also includes routine checkups , and screening tests. When you get a heart scan that shows heart disease, or a self breast exam that turns up a lump, or a prostate blood test that shows cancer, you usually get more testing and treatment. It seems as if checking yourself routinely before disease that you know runs in your family is the best and right thing to do. Is it? What if something that doesn't run in the family shows up? Early detection can very critical. You can be cured and your quality of life can be better.
If you are at risk for some disease whether or not it is inherited, why not check for it early? This brings to mind the recent news about the rise of AIDS and HIV in the world. I think everyone should be checked for it. After all most routine blood tests include a syphilis test. Society has made individuals "afraid" to be HIV positive; therefore, the secrecy surrounding this makes people less likely to talk about it let alone be honest about it.
Wake up world! Get checked for everything you possibly can that is available. It's your life. To those lifestyle changes like weight control, exercise, proper diet, etc., add routine total body checkups.
Ideally, your health care provider should be helping you. Help yourself and your health care provider by reading "Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal "112 page" Health Guide". www.mypatienthandbook.com. Preview pages at www.books.google.com. Information on routine physical exams, and preventive tests are detailed. Make this another lifestyle change to improve your life.
Great health is true wealth! Best health, Dr. Joan
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