Why do people 'access medical records'? what reasons for ?

katesheet

Read in a magazine a while, giving information on accessing your or somebodies medical records,

Why would people want to do this ?

what common reasons would people want to access their own medical records, or somebody elses ?

elsien

Because I want to know what's been written about me and check that it is accurate. Or that I've correctly understood what has been said. Just a few examples of when I might consider asking for access. Medical professionals get things wrong sometimes as well as the rest of us.

AngelOfTheNorth

I wanted to access mine to make a complaint about the way I was treated when giving birth. It can be useful for people to be able to get them in a variety of different situations, especially when there are legal proceedings: could be relevant in personal injury, clinical negligence, family law, immigration, mental health, housing, education, employment- list is endless!

SailorSam

I had an Uncle who was mentally handicapped, he was just like a baby and could do nothing for himself, When his problems started over 50yrs ago nobody ever questioned what a doctor said, they were like Gods. But all his life my Nan believed if he'd been diagnosed better all those years ago he may have had a normal life.
Today people realise that Doctors can and do make mistakes and so want to check records.

Flugelhorn

I find it interesting that when people make injury claims or similar, the solicitors request all the patient's - back to when they first started regardless and not just anything to do with the injury. Can be quite a mammoth photocopying them and then checking for third party references - not sure that some people would be happy for others to see some of the history unrelated to the injury

rogueylawyer

Flugelhorn wrote: »

I find it interesting that when people make injury claims or similar, the solicitors request all the patient's - back to when they first started regardless and not just anything to do with the injury. Can be quite a mammoth photocopying them and then checking for third party references - not sure that some people would be happy for others to see some of the history unrelated to the injury

Back when I worked in personal injury we would generally only ask for the last 7-10 years as we were looking at pre-existing neck/back issues. That being said, it depended on the injury, and that was a long time ago now, trends change.

In the context of contentious probate matters, applications for records can be made by the living patient, if for example they wish to prove that they suffer from a particular condition that affects their need for financial provision. If, after a testator's death, it is believed that they may have suffered from a condition which affected their capacity to make a will, then it may be necessary to check their records.

In claims such as personal injury and clinical negligence then it is most likely that your records will be required. Some people access their records to confirm that the contents is correct. If you are off work and require a doctors report or to provide support for the reasons why you were off work then having correct records is imperative. Mistakes can, and occasionally do, happen.

AngelOfTheNorth

Flugelhorn wrote: »

I find it interesting that when people make injury claims or similar, the solicitors request all the patient's - back to when they first started regardless and not just anything to do with the injury. Can be quite a mammoth photocopying them and then checking for third party references - not sure that some people would be happy for others to see some of the history unrelated to the injury

The patient would have to give permission before records could be obtained, so if they weren't happy about sharing their whole history for whatever period it couldn't happen. It's also important to get an idea if there was any pre-existing condition that influenced the injury and prognosis at all.

theoretica

Doctors quite often ask about family history, so it might be worthwhile in some cases to access records, particularly of deceased close relatives, to see if they had conditions they didn't discuss.

Armorica

Often it used to be to see what doctor's had written that was rude (hopefully they have learnt to not put stupid stuff in records now).

As others have said, typically when something has gone wrong. Another one is to check the 'Do not resuscitate' status in the notes.

[Deleted User]

You can ask for your records, but you have no right to see them. The legislation includes a clause that enables them to withhold anything they like on the grounds that it's 'not in your interest' to see it. I have checked with the Information Commission, and there is no independent authority you can appeal to who has the power to decide whether they are withholding information in your best interests, or their own.

If you manage to get access to your records and find an error you have no right to have it corrected, on the contrary, it has to stay there for life, even if proven wrong. Here is the Patients Association:

"Because medical records are a record of your clinician’s opinion and actions in relation to your healthcare at the time, it is not possible for you to delete or change anything included in your records. "

Mary Kerswell of Biggleswade found substantial errors in her records, but when she insisted that her surgery correct them, they had her taken away in handcuffs by the police, and struck her off.

When I spent a week in hospital last August, a nurse put my records down where I could see them, and I found out that they say I have already had my heart operation. I haven't. I spent the next week telling them, but on the day I was discharged, the doctor walked in and said "So, you're having another operation, then?". I corrected them yet again, and he said "Well, all that matters now is that your having another one".

The appointment letter is already a month and a half overdue, so it remains to be seen whether it ever arrives.

Read keefyboy's post to see what happens if you try to obtain your records for the purpose of legal action. He spent all his savings on solicitors fees, only to be told that his records have been "lost".

Madmel

In our case, brother-in-law is mentally handicapped and can be violent. As he is older than DH, hubby could not remember BiL's early years as he was not even born. MiL's stories about BiL changed like the wind.

Before having children, we wanted to know if this was something genetic, or just "one of those things". DH accessed BiL's records and although lots of detail was lost or absent, it appeared not to be a genetic condition. There were a number of observations about MiL's attitude and behaviour which rang true and helped in her later diagnoses when shared with medics.

Had BiL's condition been genetic, we would have taken medical advice before starting our family.