Poll Have you ever requested to view your medical notes?

[bellbird]

When I was in my dietician's office last week, I happened to glance over at her computer screen and she had some of my medical notes from my psychiatrist pulled up.
It had my diagnoses; PTSD, GAD, MDD.
And then beneath, it had a speculation about Cluster B, which my pdoc has never even briefly mentioned to me. (To the point where I had to Google what Cluster B was).

It made me curious as to what else is in my notes that I've never been told about.

And so I wondered if anyone here has requested some/all of their medical notes, and if so what your experience was like reading them?

 

[Eagle3]

I've read a few notes from several doctor's, enough to be VERY careful about who I see. Medical doctors are the worst about labeling me erroneously, making assumptions, and not listening to what I'm saying (accusing me of lying etc). I already have tons of trauma around not being believed, this just exacerbates it. BUT, I like knowing if the doctor I'm working with at the time is honest and compatible or not. If the notes hold comments I don't agree with, I move on to the next doctor. It's a question of self-protection for me, since most of my issues are very difficult to pin down.

My P-doc's notes, I've never REALLY read, but I've seen what she types during my visits so I'm not concerned. My T just doesn't keep notes, so I don't have to worry about him.

Yes, READ your clinician's notes and bring up stuff that doesn't seem right. It keeps them honest, and out of the seat of Power. Just mho.

 

[blackemerald1]

No I haven't read their notes but I have copies of almost every report EVER written about me. So I imagine the notes would support the reports?

I know my psdoc used to make copious notes but even he has said he doesn't need to do so anymore and hasn't done so for a long time.

This is partly because he knows me so well and partly because he doesn't want any busy bodies rummaging in them. So it's safer for me.

I had to google what Cluster B was too... that's the 2nd thing I have learned today. I am getting ahead of myself here!! lol And... then I clicked on Cluster A and the third one...

I think the notes actually belong to you, the patient in some jurisdictions anyway. I can see why in some instances it would not be in the best interest of the patient to read their own notes. But generally I don't worry.

 

[bellbird]

I think the notes actually belong to you, the patient in some jurisdictions anyway.

Yeah, they are.

I was talking to a friend last night about this, and she said whenever she donates blood they leave her medical file out on the table next to her, and at first she felt like she had to "sneak" a glance at them, but then realised that they're actually hers, so now will just leaf through them while her blood donation is happening for interest's sake.

 

[blackemerald1]

I haven't given blood for so long. I saw a program on using plasma to make immune enhancing treatments to fight cancer. So I am determined I am going to go and contribute.

I used to be a regular donor but my blood pressure became a issue and I had to stop. I think it is okay now so time to do it again.

I might take a book instead because my notes are not so interesting lol...