Great recommendations Christine! What I have had to do is use my personal journal and bring that to my appointments for prompting me to ask my questions and provide recent updates. I have also used that to take notes in. But your ideas will help to organize my health records, questions, updates, etc. Thank you!

May I also suggest keeping the names & phone numbers of previous doctors on the list even after you have stopped seeing them? If you move or have to complete a release of records at a new doctor it is nice to have that information available.

Having worked in the medical field as a records clerk, I can't tell you how much I loved the patients that had that information readily available (some even had the fax numbers for me).

I request alll my medical records once a year from every doctor then go through it and organize all my paper work into a binder under the doctors name. I have fibromyalgia so I see a lot of different doctors.

I have a lot of allergies and also need stress doses of hydrocortisone due to an adernal insufficiency. I carry a types sheet in my wallet and I always bring one to a new doctor's office, so when I have to fill out the allergy area, I have it all printed out neatly. I also have my contact info on top and all my current medications and doses on the bottom. I keep it in a word processing file, so I can update it as necessary. i can't tell you how happy the staff and doctor's are with this, they can read it, and they don't even have to make a photocopy because I bring them their own. It saves me trying to remember, and also a lot of writing on those forms when I don't feel well.

Thanks for the great tips about assembling your medical history, I need to get better at keeping that current and this is a good way to start, a little at a time.

This is really helpful information. I used to keep med. records in a notebook, now it's a couple of boxes but sometimes it's really important to have older records & it may be difficult to obtain them after a number of years. Our local hospital will give me copies of any tests done when I present them with a written request. Keeping these records: gives me quick & easy access if/when I go to a new Dr. Dr.'s retire, patients move, Dr.'s call in experts. Each time there is a need for old records.
A patient information sheet is really helpful to have. Mine includes the names of my Dr.'s: G.P., Cardiologist, Nephrologist & Dentist, along with their office address' & office phone numbers. It's a quick reference for a hospital or a new Dr. or urgent care... if needed.

I've been keeping records similar to your recommendations ever since my health conditions become more complicated. The Medical professionals ar always been very appreciative of the info.

The records have also proved invaluable to me at times - fibro fog can sometimes make me forget my own name!! LOL!

Thank you for the tips and advice - I've now updated my records with even more useful information.

Like Maureen, I keep track of my allergies, and keep a copy in my wallet as well as on the computer. My single sheet of paper has lists my current doctors' names and numbers, my diagnoses, my current medications and dosages, my supplements, and my allergies. I carry this around not only for the doctors, and yes, I also take them their own copies, but also for possible emergency medical personnel. If I'm in an accident or pass out somewhere, I want the paramedics to know what I'm already on before they start administering more medications! And in an emergency room, I want the doctors to know what's wrong with me, that I'm allergic to several antibiotics, and what medications I'm already taking. Medical records are important in multiple situations. Thanks for reminding all of us!