New Guidelines Nudge Doctors to Give Patients Access to Medical Records

[cigaretteman]

The Obama administration is tearing down barriers that make it difficult for patients to get access to their own medical records, telling doctors and hospitals that in most cases they must provide copies of these records within 30 days of receiving a request.


In theory, patients have long had a right to obtain copies of their records, but federal officials say they receive large numbers of complaints from consumers frustrated in trying to exercise that right.

In new guidelines, issued this month, the administration says doctors and hospitals cannot require patients to state a reason for requesting their records, and cannot deny access out of a general concern that patients might be upset by the information.

“Based on recent studies and our own enforcement experience, far too often individuals face obstacles to accessing their health information,” said Jocelyn Samuels, the director of the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services, which enforces federal health privacy standards. “This must change.”

When patients can see their medical records, the administration said, it is easier for them to participate in their health care. They can, for example, review what they were told by their doctors and, perhaps, consider other options for care.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/u...iving-patients-access-to-medical-records.html

 

[pablow]

I didn't know this was a problem. Who but hypochondriacs and litigators would want to see their medical records?

 

[mstp1992]

I didn't know this was a problem. Who but hypochondriacs and litigators would want to see their medical records?

A lot of patients want to see them to make sure things are recorded accurately (e.g. presenting complaints and/or concerns, test results, medications, interventions and/or recommendations from physicians and therapists, etc.). While the rate of documentation errors is very low, it is a number greater than zero.

 

[HIWB]

I didn't know this was a problem. Who but hypochondriacs and litigators would want to see their medical records?

I could be wrong, but:
People who have recently relocated and changed physicians.
People who haven't been to a doctor in a few years and can't remember details of prior diagnoses or prescriptions.
People who just want to see what they're paying for.

 

[KitingHigh]

I didn't know this was a problem. Who but hypochondriacs and litigators would want to see their medical records?

Really? Do you feel the same way about seeing your credit score?

 

[pablow]

A lot of patients want to see them to make sure things are recorded accurately (e.g. presenting complaints and/or concerns, test results, medications, interventions and/or recommendations from physicians and therapists, etc.). While the rate of documentation errors is very low, it is a number greater than zero.

I always get a hard copy of my blood work, that's it. I'm not advocating against easy access to medical records, I'm just curious who would want it.

I've had both hips replaced, back surgery, and other major procedures. As long as the doc says everythings fine, I just like to move down the road. Maybe younger patients with less of a history might want to accumulate a library - I don't know.

I've always felt that the body works better without an audience.

And BTW, I don't want to know my credit score and I throw my unopened MidAmerican Energy reports in the trash. Ignorance is bliss.