I really do think we all need to take a pro-active approach to healthcare--especially these days. I think it's important to work WITH the physcian in making appropraite choices etc. not just let the dr. make the choices for you. YOu need to ASK and be involved. I don't think this overpowers the dr. --infact most of the drs i've delt with are supportive in that feeling. (no i'm not in med. profession--)

karessamom wrote:

I really do think we all need to take a pro-active approach to healthcare--especially these days. I think it's important to work WITH the physcian in making appropraite choices etc. not just let the dr. make the choices for you. YOu need to ASK and be involved. I don't think this overpowers the dr. --infact most of the drs i've delt with are supportive in that feeling. (no i'm not in med. profession--)

I agree. Physicians make mistakes, so having us look over their shoulder doesn't hurt. Ask questions and try and get as much out of it as you can.

Ha! I'm old enough to remember when HEAVEN FORBID the hospitalized patient should see their BP, pulse and temp when the nurse was writing it down after taking them!!!! And more than one nurse nearly had a heart attack or apopleptic fit when she walked in the room and saw me sitting on the bed reading my hospital chart!!!! My chart always ended up spending most of my hospital stay down at the nurses' desk much to the chagrin of my doctors when they couldn't find it at my room. The nurses, floor nurse director, Director of Nursing, Patient Advocate and I had more than one rip-roaring battle over my access to my medical records!

The more the medical profession tries to prevent me from seeing or knowing the more determined I become to gain access to that information!!! Thru the years I had many a battle w/one local hospital about my access to my medical records. I told more than one doctor my veterinarian provided me w/more information about the medications he was giving my dog than doctors told me about the medications they were trying to give me. Frankly, the above encouraged my lack of trust, confidence and respect for the medical profession as a whole.


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CrohnieToo wrote:

Ha! I'm old enough to remember when HEAVEN FORBID the hospitalized patient should see their BP, pulse and temp when the nurse was writing it down after taking them!!!! And more than one nurse nearly had a heart attack or apopleptic fit when she walked in the room and saw me sitting on the bed reading my hospital chart!!!! My chart always ended up spending most of my hospital stay down at the nurses' desk much to the chagrin of my doctors when they couldn't find it at my room. The nurses, floor nurse director, Director of Nursing, Patient Advocate and I had more than one rip-roaring battle over my access to my medical records!

The more the medical profession tries to prevent me from seeing or knowing the more determined I become to gain access to that information!!! Thru the years I had many a battle w/one local hospital about my access to my medical records. I told more than one doctor my veterinarian provided me w/more information about the medications he was giving my dog than doctors told me about the medications they were trying to give me. Frankly, the above encouraged my lack of trust, confidence and respect for the medical profession as a whole.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you. On the other hand, I can see it from the physicians point of view too. Im not suggesting YOU are the focus of the post, so if I mention YOU it is only in general. This is not to be offensive to anyone.

Some patients are literally out of control. They demand access, then begin to scrutinize every item possible. Medications tend to be the largest issue, that I run across. Patients want to be "fixed", but then when they are switched to a new medication, they feel as though they know more than the ordering physician. One example that i have it Topamax.

This medicine is an anticonvulsant used alone or with other medicines to control certain types of seizures.

I have seen this medication issue for weight loss too. When a patient runs this medication on the internet, some panic because it is generally used to control headaches and seizures. Some of those same patients call in and begin complaining nonstop. Physicians, at least some, have God complexes and do not handle that well. Im not trying to say that its right or wrong, just that I can see it from their point of view.

The internet and its knowledge is a blessing and a curse depending on what side of the field you play on.

Another example are these sleep reports. Most of you know how to read them by now, but some do not. They have inadequate information or they neglect certain pieces of data (IE cherry pick items to try and make deductions). This is an issue with any diagnostic test, however its good that people get the information and attempt to learn what it all means.

No sweat, RAM, its not too often I take something personal or get my feathers ruffled. Its "funny" how I can see my "good doctors'" side of things - but am not so forgiving of others. And no, I don't mean funny ha ha.

I agree a patient might not understand everything in their medical record - but that is why they should question what they don't understand.

The way I see it its the doctors' "job" to inform and advise to the best of his/her ability in order for the patient to make an INFORMED DECISION on what they will and won't agree to. After all, we are the ones of enjoy the benefit, or endure the consequences, of any test, medication, treatment we allow. I won't agree to anything that doesn't make sense to me. So its the doctors' job to make it make sense to me if he/she really feels it should be done.


_________________
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CrohnieToo wrote:

No sweat, RAM, its not too often I take something personal or get my feathers ruffled. Its "funny" how I can see my "good doctors'" side of things - but am not so forgiving of others. And no, I don't mean funny ha ha.

I agree a patient might not understand everything in their medical record - but that is why they should question what they don't understand.

The way I see it its the doctors' "job" to inform and advise to the best of his/her ability in order for the patient to make an INFORMED DECISION on what they will and won't agree to. After all, we are the ones of enjoy the benefit, or endure the consequences, of any test, medication, treatment we allow. I won't agree to anything that doesn't make sense to me. So its the doctors' job to make it make sense to me if he/she really feels it should be done.

Trust me, im on the patients side. I can never know enough when it comes to records and treatment, but its a fact that medical information is not often readily available. If you request it sure, but it would be illegal for them to keep it from you. It has to make people wonder why it isnt standard practice to hand it out freely.

And im glad that you have a good doctor. There are PLENTY of impatient jerks out there, and in my opinion a handful of good ones. I once scrubbed in for a surgery and when one of the anesthesiologist intubated, he broke a few of the patients teeth. He pulled it out, threw the equipment on the floor, and walked out. When he came back in he was yelling about the patient having too big of teeth.  

Ha! I already figgered out you are on the patients' side. Why else would you be here except you're interested in how patients see things?


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Some Dr's have a fee when you request medical records.  I work for a pyschiatrist and in our office if a pt asks for his/her records we inform the that there is a fee.  The fee is $25 and .25 per page.  We have a company that comes in and scans the records then mails them out.  If a dr asks for it there is no charge.

Sylvia wrote:

Some Dr's have a fee when you request medical records.  I work for a pyschiatrist and in our office if a pt asks for his/her records we inform the that there is a fee.  The fee is $25 and .25 per page.  We have a company that comes in and scans the records then mails them out.  If a dr asks for it there is no charge.

Wow. That is robbery, in my opinion. Im speechless.

Ah but, RAM. Note that this was a PSYCHIATRIST. In most states, mental health records have separate governing laws from that of physical medicine's health records.

And even HIPAA allows that medical records BELONG to the GENERATING facility or medical professional and that they MAY charge a REASONABLE fee w/o specifiying just what is reasonable.

One of our local hospitals charges a $10 access fee and $1 per page for patient copies. The second time I did HAVE to use that hospital for a procedure I asked my ordering doctor to write "copy to patient" on the order and escaped having to pay their fee. Fortunately, I've not HAD to use that hospital's services again and have NOT done so. The FIRST time was enough for me, thank you.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
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CrohnieToo wrote:

Ah but, RAM. Note that this was a PSYCHIATRIST. In most states, mental health records have separate governing laws from that of physical medicine's health records.

And even HIPAA allows that medical records BELONG to the GENERATING facility or medical professional and that they MAY charge a REASONABLE fee w/o specifiying just what is reasonable.

One of our local hospitals charges a $10 access fee and $1 per page for patient copies. The second time I did HAVE to use that hospital for a procedure I asked my ordering doctor to write "copy to patient" on the order and escaped having to pay their fee. Fortunately, I've not HAD to use that hospital's services again and have NOT done so. The FIRST time was enough for me, thank you.

Charging a patient for THEIR records is wrong, in any scenario. That's just my opinion. Those businesses wouldnt have the records if it wasnt for a patients willingness to invest a lot of money and time into them. They turn around and charge them to gain access to the information. Its wrong on many levels.

I tend to agree Ram. BUT I do acknowledge that it does take staff time and toner, paper, etc. to make copies so I wouldn't be adverse to a $5 charge for a lengthy report or even a dollar a page w/no access fee. My definition of "reasonable" and others' definition obviously aren't in sync.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
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CrohnieToo wrote:

I tend to agree Ram. BUT I do acknowledge that it does take staff time and toner, paper, etc. to make copies so I wouldn't be adverse to a $5 charge for a lengthy report or even a dollar a page w/no access fee. My definition of "reasonable" and others' definition obviously aren't in sync.

Ok, if you are getting X-ray copies thats one thing, but more than likely we are talking about 6-10 sheets of printer paper.

I understand what you are saying, but I do not understand the need for offices to charge for every little thing. Yes, it takes staff time, paper, toner, etc, but we are paying thousands of dollars for tests, hundreds for copays, and our time sitting in waiting rooms.

Im just venting. Sorry!!

Watching you vent, RAM_Sleep, is rather fun!  

Yep, the cost of copies should be part of the insurance cost the patient doles out.  And really, it ain't that much.

But remember where those insurance dollars go...... mostly to the insurance company.  The reimbursement to the docs varies.  But I agree, it should be a part of the cost.  But then again, the reinbursement from insurance, the profit, goes to who?  Makes you wonder, doesn't it?  I guess it goes to the docs, the staff, the overhead, and to general profit.  I don't think a few copies and some toner won't break them.  lol


Linda

DON'T get me started on cooling my heels in some inconsiderate educated idiot's office 2 hours after my scheduled appointment time!!! I've walked out, and NOT QUIETLY from the offices of such arrogant, inconsiderate, insufferable arses. Oh, I remember my doctor shopping experiences when my family doctor died. I remember them all too well!!

I had a good friend who worked for one of the drug companies and she often gave me copies of some of the trade magazines. I well remember more than one article on how important appearances are to good business practice: doctors must maintain an impressive office in a good area, they must overbook appointments, heaven forbid a patient should see an empty or half empty waiting room, it would give the impression the doctor wasn't very good 'cause he didn't have a full waiting room, blah, blah, blah. Honest injun!! One must create the impression of success if one wants to be successful.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.