If you’re living in an Internet-enabled household, chances are you have all or most of your banking information at your fingertips. Can you say the same for your health information? For many, these important records are locked away in filing cabinets or kept at your doctor’s offices.
Despite the fact that patients have a legal right to see and get copies of their medical records, the statistics on access are fairly surprising.
- 41 percent of the public have never asked their doctor for copies of their records
- 81 percent say they’ve never asked to receive their records electronically
That’s why the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is sponsoring the “What’s in Your Health Record?” Video Contest. The goal is to encourage more patients to ask for copies of their health information and look at new ways to view and track it online. Simply share your story on video (2 minutes or less) – including what you learned from taking a closer look at your records – and you could win one of several cash prizes ranging from $250 to $3,000! All submissions are due by August 20, 2012.
Maybe you’ll find a critical omission in your records, such as a medication allergy. Maybe you’ll find something curious or unexpected that prompts you to ask questions at your next appointment or do research. Or maybe you’ll simply confirm that you’re up to speed on your health status. In any event, having your full health information on hand empowers you and also ensures that your loved ones have all the details they need to help you receive the best care possible.
Ask for your records today and see what you find! And if you’re a PatientsLikeMe member, don’t forget that you can input and monitor hundreds of different lab results – from cholesterol to Vitamin D to PSA levels – on your profile.
