Keeping your own medical history will help you to remember important facts, save time when seeing new doctors, see patterns, avoid problems if your records are lost, and avoid some medical mistakes. Update your history after every major medical event or at least once a year. I also like to write a list of my concerns at the bottom, so I don’t forget to mention them to my doctor. Don’t forget to take your medical history with you when you travel. If you do not have any major medical conditions, you might be able to fit it all in a couple of pages. If you do have a more complex medical history, a three ringed binder works great to keep it all organized. You might want to include the following:
Personal information
Patient’s full name
Address
Phone numbers
Insurance company with id #
Birth date
For a child include the names of parents, birth place, birth weight, & birth height.
List of all current doctors with phone numbers
Blood type if known
Allergies: List all known allergies and sensitivities as well as your reactions to them.
Immunizations: Are they up-to-date? When do you need the next one?
Medical Conditions: List all know medical conditions and the date first diagnosed.
Current Medications: List all medication with dosages, refills, and prescription expiration dates. Don’t forget to include vitamins and supplements.
Brief Medical History:
List dates, places, doctor’s names, and descriptions of all major medical events such as ER visits, hospitalizations, and specialty doctor visits (cardiologist, oncologist, etc…) Also include any normal doctor’s visits in which prescriptions are given or changed. Be sure to list all major medical discoveries and abnormal test results. I also like to jot down the date of my last physical, so I can remember when to schedule another one.
Other considerations:
Keep copies of all hospitalization & ER visit discharge papers and test results records for your personal records. Most doctor’s offices and hospitals will not release your medical files to you. By law they have to provide you will copies of any/all medical records when asked. It might take up-to six weeks to make copies, so ask early.
