Requested records for lengthy treatment, received less than 2 pages

[Skywatcher]

This post is making me want to see my records. I never have, out of fear of what they might say. My T has offered to show them to me, I have never asked.

 

[Justmehere]

I've accidentally had my entire chart mailed to me once, by my insurance company. It was a little triggering. I was told then that providing access to the records is usually done with the therapist sitting with you so they can answer questions, or it is done at the end of therapy....or it tends to end therapy. I've taken up a therapist's offer to show them to me in session. That was pretty ok and non-eventful. It built trust. Nothing surprising.

The termination letter from this therapist indicated how I could request records. Because I can't sit with this therapist and ask questions, I have purposefully waited a few years.

 

[Sandstone]

She said she was very surprised by her own response and didn't think the matters that came up would bother her. But it did. And she backed up and ran so fast...

From me.

Not from you. From the traumas that were inflicted on you. From the perpetrator.

 

[Friday]

From a med admin perspective, if there is any doubt as to records, the rule is send the bare minimum requested, or none at all. Because patients can always make further requests for more info, but bells can’t be unrung. And since 99% of the time records are being request for legal proceedings (divorce, lawsuits, etc.) it simply makes sense to err on the side of caution. That way, too, you have 2 requests for information, so if you’re sued for being innbreech of medical confidentiality laws? Look, 1 request might be patient error not understanding what they were requesting of is, but here is a second request, detailing very specifically what they wanted. We acted entirely in good faith.

Similarly, whilst state laws vary, most people/institutions I know of revert to the longest time required by any state... which a few years ago was 10 years (early 2000s the most conservative laws changed from 7 to 10 years and caused a firestorm of new jobs as places scrambled to halt monthly shredding, reobtain records from storage and redate their destruction dates, etc. Major/massive paperwork upheaval). Those records -of inactive patients- are almost always kept OFF site. Iron Mountain and a few other places rated for med records. It can take a bit of time to reaquire those complete records, or several hundred dollars to pay the storage facility for a rush delivery (which is always paid as cost of business if a lawyer is requesting records, but nearly never paid if a patient is requesting).


So you may well have just hit a clerical hiccup.
A) Minimal sent to CYA
B) Next scheduled (no rush fee) delivery/pickup time from storage next month, or in 3 months.

I’d simply re-request the records, thanking them for the summary, but what you had initially asked for -the complete chart- was correct, and you’d appreciate it being sent with all due haste.

****Make sure to send the signed release forms again**** Every request for info needs them. Even in the same day, the liability release is faxed along, every single time. It’s one of those things you roll your eyes over (hello! I just did 4 of these for you this morning) but lawyers see blood in the water without.

 

[whiteraven]

I guess I have a different take on this from some. My psychiatrist terminated after 14 years (that's *years*). I requested that my records be sent to my therapist (not me, my therapist) and he sent less than 2 pages. I was livid (so was my therapist). I had been on numerous medications and had avoided some because of possible interactions with my meds and a concern with some of my medical conditions. I *specifically* requested med info, among some other things. I got none of that.

In my estimation, not providing this information can only cause harm. It certainly did with me.

 

[Abstract]

Took a moment to back wayyyy up from that dark spiral.

Ouch. You so don't deserve that. Well done for getting past it.

the therapist in her wanted to continue, but the rest of her was dealing with her own stuff

Gosh I can see how hard that must have been. You know this cognitively but there is nothing about you or your experience that is responsible for what happened for her. Triggers are so random sometimes aren't they. Ish. She is is still doing trauma work. She didn't expect it. Its not your fault and not your experiences fault. I hope you managed to keep the good from the therapy.The good aspects of even this response. Hopefully you get what you need when you put the further request in.

 

[Lucycat]

I have just read through and caught up with this thread. While I appreciate that the record was incomplete,to say the least, I am still not understanding the purpose of requesting the record at all.
You say you have previously requested records from other providers. Why? How do they help you? What do you get from this - other than grief when they fail to comply?
In the UK we also have the legal right to see our medical records- although not always to keep a copy, depends on the circumstances. But personally I have never seen the need.
If it were for some court proceedings, I could understand. But I am not getting that impression from this thread.

 

[Justmehere]

@Lucycat - I appreciate your questions and thoughts. Requesting records may not be the right decision for everyone. It may even be detrimental to some. Sounds really clear to me that it wouldn’t be helpful for you and I can respect that. For me, it is the right decision for me to seek a copy of my records. (It is for reasons I’m not comfortable sharing online.)

Thanks for the thoughtful feedback and insightful questions though!

 

[blackemerald1]

In relation to the reason therapy was terminated JMH - I think that though sudden and unexpected and probably not good for you in so many ways.. this therapist did the right thing, the responsible thing and admitted she could not proceed with you.

I know you have been through a incredibly painful time recently and I can understand the completely normal apprehension one feels when opening up envelopes that might contain painful memories of past therapy history. However it really is a stretch to see how you could feel that the termination by that therapist is at all, or ever your doing or responsibility. I'm so pleased you got that back under control asap. :)

I think if you want your history from a therapist and it is actually in existence and retrievable - no problem. Hit the resend button with a new release and follow up with a phone call in a few days so her secretary knows you are waiting.

I was told with my T that they do not keep notes or do reports right from the outset so I know there is nothing that can be retrieved and in some ways this is a bit of comfort to me.

I hope you next attempt is successful.