Build a Personal
Health Journal (part 3)
Get a hold of your
personal medical records
In our
past two
columns,
we’ve
reviewed
the
benefits
and
process
for
obtaining
and
keeping
track of
your
medical
records.
While it
may be a
bit like
pulling
hen’s
teeth,
you’ll
be glad
you took
the time
when you
find
yourself
with a
health
challenge
later
that
requires
easy
access
to those
records.
In the process of
obtaining past medical records, you may
learn that your doctor is no longer in
practice due to retirement, sale of the
practice or some other reason. That may make
getting a hold of your records more of a
challenge, but often it’s simply a matter of
locating them.
Remember that by
law, most doctors are required to keep your
records for only six years. Some specialists
must keep them longer, but don’t be
surprised if records older than that are not
available.
If your doctor is
no longer in practice, start with the idea
that another doctor may have purchased his
practice. If you have the old office phone
number or address, try to contact them to
see they still have your records, or if they
know where they may be stored.
If you can’t
locate anyone else with the information,
contact the local Medical Society. You can
find their phone number in the phone book.
They keep information about records location
for practices that have closed, and often
they can steer you in the right direction.
Once you’ve pulled your records together,
consider how you want to store them. From a
simple paper filing system, to keeping track
electronically, choose a system that makes
sense for you.
In particular if
you travel, consider an internet-based or
other electronic system which can provide
all your medical information if you aren’t
at home. Called PHRs (Personal Health
Records), most systems require us patients
to input our own information, using scans,
faxes, or just keying them in. In the
future, these systems will accept input by
doctors, too. More information about kinds
of storage, considerations and electronic
resources can be found at
www.diagKNOWsis.org/phr.htm.
Finally,
once
you’ve pulled all your information together,
share it with your loved ones so they know
where your records are and how to access
them. Don’t forget, too, that family history
and caretaking needs mean that one day your
children and grandchildren will be very
interested in the work you have done. Your
efforts now will be a gift to them in the
future.
(This is part 3 of 3. Link here to
part 1 or
part 2.)
© 2006 Trisha Torrey
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