Communicating with your health care team is vital. To be sure nothing is missed, take the time to collect your medical records from all the doctors you see. This includes notes from your primary care doctor and specialists, tests, and surgery reports. You may want to start with your primary care doctor, the doctor who sees you the most.
To obtain your records, you should submit a medical record release form. This form gives your doctors and other health providers permission to release your records to you. This can be done at the doctor’s office, by mail, or by fax. You can get a record release form at doctors’ offices or at other medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics.
The medical record is your life and health on paper. Once you get your records, it is important to review them for accuracy. If any information is inaccurate or any reports are missing, bring it to your doctor’s attention. You might find some
things your doctor did not tell you about or things you simply do not understand. If your doctor is unable to get the missing information, contact the source directly for copies of your reports.
Gather this information into a folder or notebook. Add a cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, email, and date of birth. On this page make a list of your medical conditions, all the medicines you take, your allergies (and any other reactions to medication), operations you’ve had, and a history of diseases that run in your family. You will be able to make copies to take to any doctor you go to. This also prevents the delay that occurs when records are sent from doctor to doctor, which can take from weeks to months to years.
Best health!
by J.L, Richardson, M.D., family medicine doctor and author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.
Patient Handbook to Medical Care provides 112 pages (large print) of health information that will tell you what your doctor should be asking you, telling you, and doing for you - as taught in medical school and used since Hippocrates.
www.mypatienthandbook.com/
www.twitter.com/MD4U
www.blogtalkradio.com/drjfpmd
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta medical record relase. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta medical record relase. Mostrar todas las entradas
miércoles, 30 de junio de 2010
domingo, 26 de julio de 2009
Tips for Your Doctor Visit
Going to the doctor can be quite a challenge. "Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide" is the perfect tool for patients to make their visits worthwhile.
One of the first things you want to do is make a written or typed medical history to take with you, especially if this is your first visit to a new doctor. Make a copy for you and your doctor. You both will be able to refer to it as needed. This will save valuable time, and give you and your doctor more time to talk instead of flipping through your medical record. It can be difficult trying to "remember" what test or procedure you had 10 years ago.
Start keeping a list of things you want to talk to your doctor about. Update the list before each visit. This way you will be able to keep track of what has been discussed, and what needs to be discussed. Try to talk about the most important things first especially those that need immediate attention. Each time you go for your visit, you can refer to your list and take up where you left off. Be sure to express your immediate concerns first. We all know how short a doctor visit can be.
Request copies of your medical records from all your doctors. "The medical record is the cornerstone of keeping track of everything pertaining to your health." You will be able to check the accuracy of your records, and bring any errors or absent information to your doctor's attention. Let your doctor know about anything you do not understand, or if there is something you are unable to read due to legibility. It is surprising to see how many doctors are often unable to read their own handwriting.
Stay on top of your health care with these tips. After all, great health is true wealth!
P.S. What tips do you have for doctor visits? Share your tips for doctor visits. Click on "comments".
domingo, 22 de marzo de 2009
Your Medical Record
Recently 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 at http://www.mypatienthandbook.com/ under "Patient Tools”.
--by J.L. Richardson, MD, family medicine, is author of the award winning Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide".
http://mypatienthandbook.com
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 at http://www.mypatienthandbook.com/ under "Patient Tools”.
--by J.L. Richardson, MD, family medicine, is author of the award winning Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide".
http://mypatienthandbook.com
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