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Summary

There are a variety of excellent reasons for maintaining your own copy of your medical record. For instance, to help feel in control, to help get to see a new doctor without delay or in the event of a disaster.

Your copy should include all the information that relates to the history and current status of your health condition(s).

There are a variety of alternatives for ways to keep your own medical record. All are free or inexpensive.

For information about each of these subjects, see the other sections of this article.

 

 

 

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Why Keep Your Own Copy Of Your Medical Record

Maintaining your own copy of your medical record:

  • Will help give you control of your care and greater continuity. 
  • Help you make even better hcoices about your own health care once you see the data the doctor is working with, as well as his/her assessment.
  • It is the most effective way to insure that you will have access to all your medical information when you want it.
  • Provides a complete record you can take with you if you have to go to an emergency room.
  • Recognizes that with a serious illness, you are likely to see a variety of doctors. Keeping a copy of your medical records allows you to see a new doctor without delay while that doctor waits to receive a copy of your records (which may be incomplete).
  • Is the best way to assure that your records are complete.
  • Helps you continue to get the medical care you need by protecting your medical information in the event of a disaster that affects a doctor's office or medical institution.


What Should Be In Your Copy Of Your Medical Record

Your copy of your medical records should at least include:

  • An up-to date list of medications. 
    • You should also carry a copy of this list in your wallet or handbag at all times. 
    • To see what a list should contain, see List of Medications.
  • Your own notes about: 
    • Each office visit with doctors and complementary therapists (with date and summary of what happened or was reported)
    • Treatments (including date and description), and
    • Laboratory Tests (including date and results)
  • All reports about any operations
  • Discharge summaries and any significant tests from hospital visits.
  • Ideally, also include notes about when next exams or tests are scheduled. 

Where To Keep Your Copy Of Your Medical Records

Where to keep your records depends on what is most comfortable for you. Alternatives include:

  • A simple file folder 
  • In a box. 
  • In a binder. The Lance Armstrong Foundation provides a free binder including space for your documents. See: www.laf.org. offsite link
  • Online. You can keep a set of your medical records on line through such services as Microsoft's HealthVault offsite link or a more basic site such as Google'swww.Google.com/health offsite link
  • Create your own electronic copy. Rather than carry around a pile of documents, you can scan documents into your computer. When you get ready to go to a doctor, you can download the file through your USB port onto a portable file or stick. Any doctor you see can upload the documents into his or her computer.








How To Keep Your Own Copy Of Your Medical Records

  • Eery time you take a test, ask that you receive a copy of the images or test results, as well as all reports about the results.any findings or images. If you don't get the copy when you leave the appointment, make an alert in your calendar to follow up by a reasonable date if the information hasn't been received.
  • Every time you see a doctor, ask for a summary of what happened during the appointment, what the doctor found, and what the doctor recommended. (This is likely a copy of the notes that are put into your doctor's copy of your medical record about the appointment.)
  • Copies can be sent to you by mail or by e mail.

NOTE: AARP has created a free, easy-to-use mobile app that helps manage your health care information. For instance, you can take a smartphone picture of your prescription bottles and the app will automatically record the drug name, dosage, pharmacy and refill schedule.  If anyone wants to see a list of your meds, you can just hand over the phone.  The app is known as AARP Rx.