There’s a movement as of late to grant patient’s full access to their health records, which is laudable. We also should allow spouses, parents and adult children to have access to our records as well when appropriate.
As a practicing emergency medicine physician for 30 years, Dr. Paul Davidson is a fan of patient’s owning their own health data. “I have seen firsthand many complications arise when a patient doesn’t have or can’t recall their medical/surgical history, meds, allergies and/or immunization status. It is especially important for parents of children to get medical, financial and digital powers of attorney upon their 18th birthday before they head off to college.”
These important health documents include:
- Immunization records
- Sports physicals
- List of current medications
- List of medication allergies
- List of doctors and their contact info
- Medical power of attorney
- Advance directive
- Most states have 1 page summaries of the advance directive like Colorado’s “MOST” form or Iowa’s “IPOST” form
- Digital Power of attorney
- Device pocket cards, like for stents, pacemakers or other implants
- Most recent electrocardiogram for cardiac patients
