In a perfect world all physicians and health professionals would be honest, caring and without human defect and as such could be completely trusted to have total control over patient medical records and history. However one just needs to review cases at state medical review boards to know that this is not a perfect world and physicians are not above putting slanderous damaging and untrue statements into a medical record that will follow you forever.  In this article it states that 1/3 of the physicians surveyed believe patients should have access to the full record.. Why only 1/3?  What are 2/3rds of our doctors so afraid of? (http://www.accenture.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/PDF/Accenture-Patient-Access-to-Electronic-Health-Records-What-Does-the-Doctor-Order.pdf)

Most people aren't aware that there are two medical records or what the difference is.  An EMR contains the standard medical and clinical data gathered in one provider’s office. Electronic health records (EHRs) go beyond the data collected in the provider’s office and include a more comprehensive patient history.  I have requested a copy of my EHR but have not been granted one, nor have I been granted access to it.  I was once told by a physician that he could put anything he wanted into my medical record, that physician no longer has a license to practice medicine but he was in practice for over 25 years before the medical board took action.

I am not saying that EMR and EHRs are bad, I am saying that patients should and easily COULD have the right to view those records and know who accesses them.  Patients should also have the right to challenge entries made to those records that are not based on fact.  Physicians should be held accountable for damage done by statements they make in those records that are untrue and slanderous.  I am a software engineer and my experience tells me that with the development of electronic medical records it is now possible that we could be able to opt-in to notices when our records are accessed or changed.  We should KNOW who reviews those records and who makes changes and be able to challenge entries FREE OF CHARGE.  Please join me in raising our voices to our elected and appointed officials demanding that our rights be protected in this area and that they take steps to protect our privacy and our health.

How medical records can impact YOU personally:  You can be precluded from gaining/retaining employment, Relationships with new physicans can be tainted by statements made by old physicians regardless if those statements were not based on any facts or reality.  In an emergency when you are unable to speak these records are used to base your treatment by emergency personnel.  It is critical that they are accurate and there is nobody ensuring that they are accurate.  We have access to all other records that are about us personally, why don't we have the right to these?