Keep a personal copy of all your physical exam results.
Physical exams are an important part of routine health care maintenance. When you are seen for your physical you are screened for diseases, updated on any necessary vaccinations and your risk factor for future disease is assessed and discussed. Although your physician maintains records of your physical exam in your chart, it is prudent to create and keep a record of your results for numerous reasons, including the onset of illness or if you are under the care of a new physician.
Instructions
1. Contact any doctor's office or medical facility where you have personally had a physical exam. Ask to speak directly to someone in the medical records department of the office or facility and request an "Authorization for the Release of Information" form. If you are contacting the medical office ask that they send the form to you by fax or go the office and pick it up personally.
2. Complete the form requesting records of your physical exam results. Indicate how many years of results you are requesting. Return the form to the office. If there is a fee for the requested copies, make the payment as directed. It may take up to 30 days before your records are sent to you or are ready for pick up. Upon receiving your records review them carefully and contact your doctor immediately if you have questions or notice inaccuracies.
3. Purchase a binder or folder for your results. Place your exam results in the folder in chronological order. This will make it easier to see the bigger "story" if there are subtle changes with each physical exam and it will make it easier when reviewed by you or a new physician in the future. Keep the binder in a secure and private location such as a personal lock-box or safety-box.
4. Store a second copy of your physical exam results to your computer by creating a computer file for "Physical Exams" and use a scanner to download them onto the computer. Note if your doctor uses electronic medical records and request an electronic copy to simplify adding the results to your personal records.
5. Store your electronic records on your computer only or keep a copy on a password-protected portable flash or USB drive. With each new physical exam, add your results to update all copies of your personal records.
6. Write down any results that the doctor gives you during your physical exams or over the phone. Date the notes and add them in the correct order to your personal records.
Tags: your physical, exam results, physical exam, your physical exam, personal records
