Medical records issue

[BertrandRussell]

I've got a weird problem with a physician, and I'm looking for advice from someone who knows how medical offices work, and how records are kept, and what they mean.

I had a primary care physician who believed that I was faking symptoms. Why he believed this, I don't know. He never explicitly said it, but he refused to approve tests to confirm that that I had real symptoms. After tiring of the stonewalling and the excuses, I went through the long process of contacting the insurance company and starting over with another medical group and another primary care physician.

The second PCP was more reasonable and approved the tests. They came back positive. So he approved an additional test. It came back positive too. It proves that the symptoms are real. This should eventually lead to a diagnosis and treatment and/or cure.

BUT, the former PCP is still telling people that I'm faking symptoms. I heard this from the current PCP's secretary, who very discretely took me aside and told me very confidentially that her boss had a long phone conversation with my former PCP. She said that he had believed the slander until the test results came back positive.

I want to put an end to this. It is like having a stalker. But I can't go to the former PCP's boss or the AMA without proof of some type. The secretary will not go public. She is afraid that she would lose her job.

After some reflection I have concluded that there is something in my records that leads a current physician to call the previous one. That is the only way that I can imagine that contact can be made between the two. The two physicians work for different groups in different cities with different medical databases, so there is no way that my former PCP could track me and initiate the conversation. The current PCP had to make contact.

So, after much rambling, here is my question:
If a physician wanted to leave a message in a patient's file that would encourage future physicians to call him, a message that says "Call me because I have something to tell you about this patient that I don't dare put in writing.", how would he do it?

 

[NightL]

Just talk of your concerns with your current doctor. Just ask. The most important thing here is the current tests prove your previous doctor wrong. This would not have gone unnoticed and it will be documented in your current files. Any future physician will see this quite clearly and I would hardly see that being an issue for you.

Quite frankly the secretary deserves to have her arse kicked and find a new job.

Focussing on what is in the past and cannot be changed will only create unnecessary stress for yourself. You now have the correct support in place for your health, so just move on.

 

[GrrlFriday]

If you're really concerned, you might like to read up on the laws about sharing medical information - but you have been vindicated by your current doctor, and that will be noted too. Best of luck in looking after your health.

 

[dashd]

I don't know where you reside... but in all likelihood the former physician would not make a direct entry in the medical record. This would make successful legal action more likely. Most physician offices require a physician to review charts that are sent to another office. A note could be placed either on the cover or on separate paper. He could also enter a diagnosis... Münchausen syndrome. Münchausen syndrome is a psychiatric factitious disorder wherein those affected feign disease, illness, or psychological trauma to draw attention, sympathy, or reassurance to themselves.

What you may have is a cause for legal action. There are different forms of malpractice. Once such form is called a missed diagnosis. This should be discussed with a lawyer and probably not your new physician until you have copies of your medical record. Remember the medical record is yours and not the physician's. You are allowed to obtain these records for personal use and perhaps before you do anything to persue legal action should obtain copies from both offices.

 

[BeachMomma]

Where do you live?

In the US, HIPAA laws require written consent from the patient before records can be sent to another provider. It works something like this:

You're a patient for Dr. 1. You aren't satisfied with his service, so you go to Dr 2 and start the process all over again. IF Dr 2 wants to see your previous records from Dr 1, Dr 2's receptionist will give you a form to complete and sign. She will then fax the signed consent form to Dr 1's receptionist.

Dr 1 won't even know about the request. The receptionist will copy all of the pertinent information and fax it back to Dr 2's office. Let me clarify pertinent information. When you sign the consent, it usually isn't for the entire chart. You may sign for information between such and such dates or for the EKG done in 2012.

That's how medical records are obtained in the US. Let me tell you about the reality of health care. As someone already said, you're on your way to getting treatment, so just let it go. It'll be your word against his, and you have no proof to back anything up. Furthermore, the new doc believes you and is treating you, so what good would it do?

We see people all the time that we suspect of lying about something. Maybe they come to the emergency room complaining of chest pain to get drugs. We call them drug seekers. We suspect that they aren't really having pain, but we treat them and do diagnostic studies anyway. Experience has taught us that when asked about people's alcohol use, they almost always downplay how much they drink. If I ask a patient how many drinks do you have a day, I automatically double or triple the number they tell me - and I pay closer attention to their labs.

We see so many people that we suspect are lying that we tend to be a little skeptical. A lot of honest people tell the truth, but we're so used to being lied to that it's easier to assume all people are lying. The vast majority of the patients we see are playing the system, and that makes it hard to remember that there are honest people out there.

 

[ToysAreUs]

I don't know where you reside... but in all likelihood the former physician would not make a direct entry in the medical record. This would make successful legal action more likely. Most physician offices require a physician to review charts that are sent to another office. A note could be placed either on the cover or on separate paper. He could also enter a diagnosis... Münchausen syndrome. Münchausen syndrome is a psychiatric factitious disorder wherein those affected feign disease, illness, or psychological trauma to draw attention, sympathy, or reassurance to themselves.

What you may have is a cause for legal action. There are different forms of malpractice. Once such form is called a missed diagnosis. This should be discussed with a lawyer and probably not your new physician until you have copies of your medical record. Remember the medical record is yours and not the physician's. You are allowed to obtain these records for personal use and perhaps before you do anything to persue legal action should obtain copies from both offices.

Good comeback, dashd.

On the other hand, why not ask one of the 16,500 new IRS/ObamaCare Enforcement Agents for their help? I'm sure they could resolve the matter in no time - assuming you vote Democrat. :caning:

 

[NightL]

Mr ToyForThem, I'm sure you will fit in beautifully over at http://forum.literotica.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

 

[Violette_Elan]

Have you considered asking your #2 doctor, or did any of the reason why you transferred ever come up in conversation between you two?

 

[LoveToLurk]

I'm really sorry that you went through that. I am also sorry that you had positive test results of some sort hope you're ok.

Legally, you can request a copy of your records. The MD office(office 1) HAS to comply with this. They can choose to charge you for the copying, but they have to give you a copy after you sign a release of information form for them. It is against the law for office 2 to get a copy of records from office 1 and copy office 1's records for you. They might do it, but it is against the law to re-release another provider's records. I didn't see you mention where you live - this is the case for US medical records. I am a provider in the medical field and deal with medical records every day. Every medical office is supposed to have a grievance process, and a person appointed to handle them.

This all being said, I have been contacted by other providers ~ when the appropriate release has been signed, where I've said things verbally that I'd never put in writing. There are many reasons for this in my particular position, and it is always with the intention of helping the patient's continuity of care.

Best wishes to you.