Comments on: Having a Health-y Experience

By: Geoff Sowrey

Geoff Sowrey — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:32:01 +0000

Debra — you’d love the story of a “Single Serving Friend” (sorry, unavoidable movie reference) of mine who had that happen to her. But she was never told that the office had closed. She spent several hours trying to track down the doctor (who had moved several hundred kilometres away), who could tell her where the records were sent. Not a fun experience, and she was fairly livid about the whole affair, even three years later!

Ross — The style might be good, but Google things it’s a malware site. That really begs the question of security. Do you know much about GetHuman.com?

Marjut — Is this a state-run system, or is this private industry fulfilling a need?

Tammy — Oh my, that’s a terrible-sounding experience. After an event like that, I don’t blame you for wanting to go elsewhere.

By: Marjut

Marjut — Sat, 10 May 2008 11:30:15 +0000

In Finland this kind of system is on its way, and I’m totally for it. Meanwhile I have always asked for copies of my medical records when treated in separate places.

By: Ross Popoff-Walker

Ross Popoff-Walker — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:34:12 +0000

I think following in the style of http://www.gethuman.com could be an amazing business venture — users create and maintain their own medical histories. And share them with each doctor they see.

Self-managed medical histories.

By: Debra

Debra — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:40:16 +0000

Word of advice - if your doctor’s office closes down, GO AND PICK UP YOUR MEDICAL FILE - even if they don’t want to release it, legally, it is YOUR information. Even in the same city, I have heard several friends’ horror stories of switching to a new doctor and never having their magic ‘file’ of medical history show up - and getting prescriptions for medications they didn’t release they were allergic to. Worse, in these privacy act laden times, there was a story not that long ago about a medical office closing down - and throwing all of their files in the local dumpster.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:32:30 +0000

I would be all for having a central location to maintain medical records.

A short 5 years ago I found myself stricken with pain. I thought I was having the worst migraine EVER. I took myself to the hospital three times and had to relay my medical history each and every time. These three visits were all within the same week.

Then, approximately 24 hours after being released from my third visit…the pain returned with a vengeance. I had to call an ambulance…and again relay my medical history before they could take me out of my own home.

In the end…I was having a brain hemmorage. The pain: imagine a little 2 inch man standing in your head smashing your brain with a full size sledge hammer. And I had to relay medical history through this…and many times the doctors/EMS walked away from me because my “language” was not acceptable. Sorry…it hurt!

And I currently have no idea where my medical records are residing. My family doctor during this episode has since closed her practice. I felt fortunate to find another family doctor as I had just given birth to my son. Alas, that doctor quit her practice also. I was notifed via mail.

Next time I go to relay my history…am I myself going to remember everything that may mean something towards my current affliction? I’m not a doctor…I wouldn’t know. And having to go from doctor to doctor, clinic to clinic, just to receive some care…who knows what kind of “notes” are being taken. Perhaps my brain hemmorage will become a scratch on my forehead.

Now is definately the time to take your health matters into your own hands. If it’s controlling your own medical history…I’m all for it. (However, I’m more inclined to utilize some wholistic practices now and avoid medical doctors altogether!).