Your Doctor Needs to Know Everything
Everything that affects your health should be in your medical record. Your doctor cannot make fully informed recommendations unless you share all relevant information.
Be an informed and empowered patient.
Give your doctor a complete, accurate history of your condition.
Medical mistakes are often the result of incomplete information. You owe it to yourself to provide all the information you can to your medical caregivers. At the Patton Law Practice, our attorneys have seen the pain that can be caused by incomplete medical records.
- Keep a list of all medications. In order to make good decisions, your doctor needs to know about all medications you take including prescriptions from other doctors and over-the-counter medications (including vitamins) that do not require a prescription. Medicines interact with each other and can cause complications.
- Make sure your medical condition is fully understood. Your medical record should list previous surgeries, medical conditions, diagnoses and treatments.
- Be open and candid about your activities. Your doctor needs to know the truth about how much you exercise, how you exercise, what you eat and whether you use tobacco, alcohol or other drugs.
- You have the right to see your medical records. To ensure that the information in your medical records is accurate, you can access and review your records. Ask for a form at your doctor's office to request a copy of your records.
Talk to a lawyer who understands the health care system and patient rights. We welcome questions from concerned patients and families in Arizona and throughout the United States. Call the Patton Law Practice at 1-888-905-9208.
