In a recent discussion I was made more acutely aware of the
changes in health care and the challenges that these changes present.
In order to help my posterity with some of the things that will be of help in the next few years, I will post these suggestions on this Blog.
The access to medical care is changing and will continue to morph until it will no longer be the same.
The sources will change and the avenues will become more difficult to navigate. It will be imperative for you to be proactive and not rely on outside sources.
The insurance that is now operative requires medical records to be kept electronically. This makes them more subject to loss. There are malicious individuals who may hack into the computer and alter or destroy data. My suggestion is that you keep your own Heath records. They do not have to be paper, they can be digital but they need to be copied so you have a digital copy in a safe and secure place such as a flash drive backup, which you can care with you on your key chain.
Changes in providers either within the same city or as a result of our mobile population are inevitable. If you have your records in digital format it will save you time when you go to a new facility or provider.
What should you include in the medical record?
A list of medications
Any allergies
Previous illnesses (include everything)
Previous surgical procedures
Family illnesses
Immunizations with dates
Every encounter with a health care provider should be documented with date, diagnosis and treatment. Do not rely on someone else, at least make a note either in your smart phone, paper note book or your computer. Keep track of the medications prescribed.
The care will become more depersonalized, as ancillary caregivers become more the norm. We now find what I call 'doc in the box' or urgent care centers. In a recent trip to Arizona I saw an ambulatory care center next to a gas station. CVS pharmacies now offer medical care as well. I have entitled one of the reports to the church medical service committee "The new kid on the block". It was a list of pharmacies that offer immunizations on a no wait, no appointment basis with comparative prices.
When I was in practice we used the term 'medical home'. It was thought that if people had one place to receive medical care it was ideal. The doctor was then to direct them to specialty care if needed. It hasn't worked well, because some doctors were not well versed in taking care of patients and the patients went to specialists without a referral. Thus it became fragmented care with multiple practitioners prescribing without knowing what other medications the patient is taking.
Rather than being dependent on someone else, you need to keep your own medical records from now on.
In order to help my posterity with some of the things that will be of help in the next few years, I will post these suggestions on this Blog.
The access to medical care is changing and will continue to morph until it will no longer be the same.
The sources will change and the avenues will become more difficult to navigate. It will be imperative for you to be proactive and not rely on outside sources.
The insurance that is now operative requires medical records to be kept electronically. This makes them more subject to loss. There are malicious individuals who may hack into the computer and alter or destroy data. My suggestion is that you keep your own Heath records. They do not have to be paper, they can be digital but they need to be copied so you have a digital copy in a safe and secure place such as a flash drive backup, which you can care with you on your key chain.
Changes in providers either within the same city or as a result of our mobile population are inevitable. If you have your records in digital format it will save you time when you go to a new facility or provider.
What should you include in the medical record?
A list of medications
Any allergies
Previous illnesses (include everything)
Previous surgical procedures
Family illnesses
Immunizations with dates
Every encounter with a health care provider should be documented with date, diagnosis and treatment. Do not rely on someone else, at least make a note either in your smart phone, paper note book or your computer. Keep track of the medications prescribed.
The care will become more depersonalized, as ancillary caregivers become more the norm. We now find what I call 'doc in the box' or urgent care centers. In a recent trip to Arizona I saw an ambulatory care center next to a gas station. CVS pharmacies now offer medical care as well. I have entitled one of the reports to the church medical service committee "The new kid on the block". It was a list of pharmacies that offer immunizations on a no wait, no appointment basis with comparative prices.
When I was in practice we used the term 'medical home'. It was thought that if people had one place to receive medical care it was ideal. The doctor was then to direct them to specialty care if needed. It hasn't worked well, because some doctors were not well versed in taking care of patients and the patients went to specialists without a referral. Thus it became fragmented care with multiple practitioners prescribing without knowing what other medications the patient is taking.
Rather than being dependent on someone else, you need to keep your own medical records from now on.
Love,
Grandpa
No comments:
Post a Comment