Question 1

why would i get my personal medical records? 2 much paper already

Accepted Answer

There are: You may have to search web sites. Physician interactive is a site that used to allow your personal records can be stored.

Question 2

are paper medical records more secure than electronic health records?

Accepted Answer

Usually 7 years: Paper charts- 7 years. This may differ by state. Advantage of emr is they can be preserved for ever. Paper charts may not be as secure as electronic charts if proper precautions are taken.

Question 3

how can i organize all my medical records (including papers) electronically from different providers? which phr is the best?

Accepted Answer

Phr's are not alike: Most offices who utilize electronic records have the capability of giving you some type of electronic records but how it is arranged varies widely.  Start with seeing if your primary care office provides a phr (many do at no cost). Then you can upload or better make sure any specialists you see send your info to your pcp.

Question 4

medical records. is there any way to obtain my medical records?

Accepted Answer

Each : Each doctor's office or hospital has different policies regarding this matter, however your medical records should be made available to you in a timely fashion. Most facilities merely require a signed authorization, usually to be signed in person. If the records are in another state they may have another method for obtaining them. 
Remember you  have a right as a patient to have access to your medical records. This includes all labs, x-rays, and clinic notes. 
Another method of obtaining medical records would be to have your current primary provider request to have your records released to them, which also requires your signature, this tends to be a little quicker in most case.
Good luck!

Question 5

can getting an abortion show up on your medical records?

Accepted Answer

It should: A medical procedure performed at a medical treatment facility should be documented in the medical record.

Question 6

why should i have to spend my lunch hour driving across town to get medical records?

Accepted Answer

You shouldn't: Your doctor should be able to provide you with your medical records via fax, email or via the regular mail.  Most doctors today are using electronic health records, like in our office.  We can provide patients with instant access to their records via secure email or fax.

Question 7

how to i stop my medical records being stolen, or being a victim of healthcare identity theft?

Accepted Answer

No such thing: If your doc uses a computer connected to the Internet it can be "hacked". There are safeguards but the computers are not invulnerable. That is like asking to be perfectly safe in the world. No such thing.

Question 8

good day. does an employer have any right to access my medical records or request for my medical record ?

Accepted Answer

No, but: People's rights are determined by many factors, such as location, nationality, age, etc,... In the US, we have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Employers should not ask about, and of course not look at, an employee's medical records, but instead require your doctor to clear you for specific activities and situations (mainly for safety reasons).

Question 9

i recently discovered i have fmd, only because i requested my medical records, why would drs not tell me? i have a blood/circular probs.

Accepted Answer

Why?: If you mean fibromuscular dysplasia i can't think of any reason why your doctors wouldn't tell you. However i would make sure that that's actually your diagnosis. Sometimes doctors will put "r/o fmd" and you might think that means you have it.. It's not always easy to interpret records. You should call your doctor and ask them if you have it or not. Don't go by what you read in your chart.

Question 10

why do so many medical offices ask for unnecessary & intrusive personal information (ssn, drivers licenses) unrelated to medical records?

Accepted Answer

Required by law: It is required by law & insurance contracts that they have with companies & that you signed with those same companies. They need to make sure you are who you say you are & that they have proof.  Also, if there is any legal question in the future, they can prove that they verified your identity.  Finally, insurance companies use this info to track your health & put it into a central database.

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Doctor answers about:

Disadvantages of paper medical records

A member asked:

Why would i get my personal medical records? 2 much paper already

A member asked:

Are paper medical records more secure than electronic health records?

A member asked:

How can i organize all my medical records (including papers) electronically from different providers? which phr is the best?

A member asked:

Medical records. is there any way to obtain my medical records?

A member asked:

Can getting an abortion show up on your medical records?

A member asked:

Why should i have to spend my lunch hour driving across town to get medical records?

A member asked:

How to i stop my medical records being stolen, or being a victim of healthcare identity theft?

A member asked:

Good day. does an employer have any right to access my medical records or request for my medical record ?

A member asked:

I recently discovered i have fmd, only because i requested my medical records, why would drs not tell me? i have a blood/circular probs.

A member asked:

Why do so many medical offices ask for unnecessary & intrusive personal information (ssn, drivers licenses) unrelated to medical records?

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