To build a Personal Medical Record implies the collection and storage of medical reports, diagnosis reports, treatment schedules, medication, and so forth. It is compulsory to keep a Personal Medical Record for various reasons. Your new Doctor could use it, legal or insurance claims, assessment of expenses, and so on finds its use, too. Thus, building a medical record becomes crucial. Build a medical record in the following three steps:
Collect the following documents
To compile a record means to gather certain documents. In cases of cancer, a personal medical record will include:
- The Diagnosis Report. The report shall contain the date of diagnosis. It will also contain the type of cancer diagnosed and its stage. Other details such as tests results, pathology reports, etc. is also included in the report.
- The schedule of Treatment. Compile the dates of starting of treatment along with the medical processes performed. It includes chemotherapy, other forms of treatment, medication, dosages, and so on. The end date of the treatment should also be mentioned.
- Results of medication and treatments. It shall include the effects of the treatment on the body, side-effects, etc. If you have gone through palliative or follow-up care then include it in the record, too.
- The Record should also include Family’s Medical History regarding major illnesses. Also, include your medical history, along with information on past physical check-ups, immunization, major illnesses, and hospitalizations.
Compile the Documents
Compilation of the Record can be a huge task. Sort all the reports should according to date and all the appointments relating to a single treatment or process should be compiled together. Other formats can be used, too. You can seek help of your family or friends. If you have started making the Record midway, follow these instructions:
- Continue to ask for copies of any treatment, appointment or test. The start and end date of treatment, along with the appointment dates, notes of healthcare team, prescribed medication, and results should be collected. Ask for copies of these from your Doctor or Assigned Help. If any test is conducted, keep a copy with yourself.
- Keep copies of bills and insurance claims for legal or other purposes.
- Various centers provide their patients with an online medical record. You can also ask for physical copies of records at the time of your admission and discharge.
Organize and Store the Documents.
Once you have collected and compiled the documents, you need to store them safely. The safe choice would be to either place them in a binder of durable quality or to upload them to your PC or smartphone. They can be organized in a cabinet or a drawer but physical storage of documents take up a lot of space and looking up for a document becomes difficult. If they are stored on your PC or smartphone, they can be accessed anywhere and can also be uploaded online to keep a backup. Various apps or websites let you maintain a record online. Thus, by following three simple steps, you can prepare a Personal Medical Record.
