How to Use Your Own Medical Records Effectively
Medical records are the silent helper for patients. Knowing your history helps you and helps your doctor treat you. Having your medical records is the first step towards advocating for yourself.
It goes without a saying that patients should have access to their medical records. But, offering patients access just for the sake of it without teaching how to use them, serves no purpose. Many medical professionals believe that if patients have their records, then they should be held accountable for their health outcomes. Though these arguments arise, the benefits of sharing medical records with patients are significant. Nevertheless, currently, it is on the shoulder of patients to ensure that they use their medical records effectively. We’ve put together some potential benefits of efficient use of your personal medical records.
Quick detection of errors
A Johns Hopkins study found more than 250,000 people die every year (USA) from medical mistakes. Shockingly this makes it the third-leading cause of death. Errors in medical records certainly contribute to that number. When an error occurs, it might go undetected for years unless you have your eyes on your records yourself. If you are tracking your medical records, you should be making sure you’re routinely checking the accuracy of the information.
Nearly 1 in 10 people who check their online health record ask to have a mistake corrected.
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
Improved understanding
Some critical medical information is subject to a thorough understanding on the part of patients. This is particularly true in the case when you have registered with a new medical professional. They’re going to ask you everything again from scratch about your personal history and that of your family. When you have your own history, it becomes easier to explain it and you can even bring it with you.
Better relationship with your medical team
When patients have their records, then there are high odds of a better understanding of the circumstances. When medical professionals have all of the records they need, they have a more complete picture. This paves the way for a better relationship as patients feel more involved in their care, and doctors can explain diagnoses more easily. By giving access to everyone, traditional rifts and misunderstandings in between medical carers and patients are minimized.
Enhanced health standards
As soon as the patient realizes the importance of having access to their medical record, they tend to become more aware of their health, in general. It elevates their understanding of their own health, allowing them to make more informed decisions, remember information, and in many cases, the general health of the patient improves.
Contact us to find out how Vesa can help you make the most of your health records.