I am thinking about finding a new doctor after several problems with our current one?

Question

Can I go in and ask to get mine and my children's medical records - NOT copies but the original records? Are there legal issues with this or are they legally mine? I don't want copies I want the originals.

Answer 1

If there are allegations etc from an over suspicious minded doctor, you cannot attempt to obfuscate what has been said even if you could get at those records at the surgery.

The contents of hard records are also input onto several databases as par of course and what has been the source of your concerns may also have been transmitted to other agencies and held on their databases.

Do change your doctor, if you have no faith in your current doctor this could be problematical if you cannot approach that doctor should your children become ill or indeed yourself.

If your doctor has misinterpreted something as possible child abuse and is causing you trouble, take the issue to a good family lawyer and find a known and trusted paediatrician to examine your children properly so should social services get on their high horses, you can effectively counter them.

You need to protect yourself and your family if this is the case and is actually easily done if what they suspect is paranoid rubbish but please do talk to a family lawyer if this is the situation and use evidences from medical professionals which are to the contrary of your old doctors rubbish to correct the databases legally.

Doctors can be very narrow minded and prejudiced, if that sounds like yours, you are doing the right thing by changing and that is your right, you cannot be forced to accept a family doctor you have zero confidence in.

Watch your six and good luck.

Answer 2

I dont know.. it makes sence to be able to get the origionals but  at the same time it dont because they need the origional copies  on file or w/e.  If you feel  uncomfortable with your doctor  get a new one.. its not worth putting your families health in jepordy.   I would go check  out  your state laws and looking into  being about to get your hands on the origional copies.  

Answer 3

i don't know if your entitled to the original records but if all you want is to change doctors go to a new practice register there & your old docs will forward your records to them  

Answer 4

Your medical files do not belong to you, they are the doctor's property ( i know that sounds silly, but it's true ). A doctor will make copies for you, but they will charge you per page. It cost me $28.00 to get my whole medical file the last time i switched doctors ( i wasn't really happy about that ). Legally, the files belong to them, you will not get the originals. Good Luck :-)

Answer 5

You will not be able to take the original records. Doctor's are required to keep these as their own documentation of treatment given. If you want an exact copy of everything in the records be prepared to be charged for anything over that offices limit, which varies. Records can run into 100's of pages. Why do you want the originals so badly?