Medical records

[Sensei]

Has anyone looked at their medical records? In my country we have access to all documentation by law and it's available online, and the other day I decided to have a look. It was quite an interesting read, actually.

Something I find peculiar is how they evaluate my behavior at every meeting, but I assume it's standard procedure. I'm regularly described as being "focused", "coherent", "insightful", "knowledgeable", and "open to getting help", as well as having "fine eye contact" and being "tidy in appearance". Something that made me laugh is that I at one occasion was talking "fast and without interruption" and denying that I was having a hypomanic episode. To the best of recollection, I didn't have one, but I can't be sure.

They are obviously not infallible. The medical records say that I use "capsules of poppy pods" and "Chartoum", i.e. kratom, as self-medication. A distant relative of mine in the USA committed suicide, the only indication of mental illness among all my relatives. In the medical records it says that he was bipolar for some reason. The diagnosis they've given me is "bipolar disorder, light to medium depression". I wonder what's "light to medium" about my suicidality, which I'm candid about, and my two suicide attempts. What's beyond that?

Being bipolar, it's interesting to see how my mood fluctuates. Sometimes I'm "in a good mood", sometimes I have "depressive thoughts". They evaluate the risk of suicide to be low, medium, and high at different occasions. Something which is emphasized is that I don't have immediate plans to kill myself. That they know that I've chosen my means of suicide and stated that I probably will kill myself sooner or later is evidently not considered that serious. A couple of times my family situation, or rather lack thereof, is mentioned, which is significant. Being bipolar and male and not having a family, I'm statistically at maximum risk of suicide.

I could go on about this forever and it's probably only interesting to me. My point is that if you have access to your medical records it might be worth having a look.

 

[Chupacabra 44]

I filled out a release of records form earlier in the week to obtain a copy of my most recent psychiatrist file. I can't recall a diagnosis that one of my prior psychs gave me, so I want to refresh my memory. It was truly a nothing diagnosis relative to the rest and this might be why I forgot it. However at this time I want to remember what it is.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

I got copies of them several years ago. It was a mess. Multiple copies of the same pointless letters and important stuff missing. NHS record keeping appears to be shit.
I, however, keep everything; every time stamped email, letter, receipt. I always request that any phone call is confirmed in writing or by email and if anyone says they are recording me, I also say I shall record them. They hate that and so will revert to email or letter instead. All of it is a pain but can come in handy in any confrontation with their incompetent bureaucracy.

 

[BipolarGuy]

I got copies of them several years ago. It was a mess. Multiple copies of the same pointless letters and important stuff missing. NHS record keeping appears to be shit.
I, however, keep everything; every time stamped email, letter, receipt. I always request that any phone call is confirmed in writing or by email and if anyone says they are recording me, I also say I shall record them. They hate that and so will revert to email or letter instead. All of it is a pain but can come in handy in any confrontation with their incompetent bureaucracy.

I record every phone call using the Cube ACR automatic call recording app.
They know I do it because I told them.
They don't like it. They tried to say that I'm breaching their internal policies.
I told them that I'm not breaking the law and their their INTERNAL policies won't be dictating what I do in my own time, in my own home, with my own device.
That shut them up, and now they're more careful with what they say and following up on things.
Before what would happen is that somebody would tell me that they would do something tomorrow, then I'd have a go at them 3 weeks later because they hadn't done it. All they'd say is "I'm sorry, but I honestly don't recall saying that!". Now they can't argue.

 

[mooncake]

Psychiatrist and psychotherapist in Germany have the right to deny a patient their records, in order to protect their mental stability, because knowing your diagnoses is considered to be a danger to a mentally ill person I guess.

 

[DyingAlf]

Psychiatrist and psychotherapist in Germany have the right to deny a patient their records, in order to protect their mental stability, because knowing your diagnoses is considered to be a danger to a mentally ill person I guess.

Yes, they can do that here in the UK too (not to stop you knowing what your diagnosis is but for cases where the patient could be destabilised or distressed by reading their notes) but I've only heard of a couple of cases where they've actually done that when people have requested their records.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

I record every phone call using the Cube ACR automatic call recording app.
They know I do it because I told them.
They don't like it. They tried to say that I'm breaching their internal policies.
I told them that I'm not breaking the law and their their INTERNAL policies won't be dictating what I do in my own time, in my own home, with my own device.
That shut them up, and now they're more careful with what they say and following up on things.
Before what would happen is that somebody would tell me that they would do something tomorrow, then I'd have a go at them 3 weeks later because they hadn't done it. All they'd say is "I'm sorry, but I honestly don't recall saying that!". Now they can't argue.

That's an excellent policy. I've had companies refuse to talk to me if I say I'm recording the conversation. Right after they have informed me they would be recording it. I may just record them anyway without their knowledge. Question: is it legal to record a conversation without the other party's consent?

 

[BipolarGuy]

That's an excellent policy. I've had companies refuse to talk to me if I say I'm recording the conversation. Right after they have informed me they would be recording it. I may just record them anyway without their knowledge. Question: is it legal to record a conversation without the other party's consent?

I have no idea to be honest. I told them though.

Psychiatrist and psychotherapist in Germany have the right to deny a patient their records, in order to protect their mental stability, because knowing your diagnoses is considered to be a danger to a mentally ill person I guess.

What about with GDPR. Is that Europe wide?

 

[Deleted member 1465]

I have no idea to be honest. I told them though.

What bout with GDPR. Is that Europe wide?

I found this for the UK " it's not illegal to record a call or even collect data. It is illegal, however, to publicise or share such data with third parties without consent."
So here, you can record a call (one assumes without consent), but it's illegal to do anything with that information. LOL typical.

 

[BipolarGuy]

I found this for the UK " it's not illegal to record a call or even collect data. It is illegal, however, to publicise or share such data with third parties without consent."
So here, you can record a call (one assumes without consent), but it's illegal to do anything with that information. LOL typical.

I think you can share it if doing so is deemed to be "in the public interest".
But I'm not a solicitor.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

I think you can share it if doing so is deemed to be "in the public interest".
But I'm not a solicitor.

I used to work for a newspaper. We often trotted that one out. It's a legal grey area that has to be proved. Only the solicitors win if it ever gets to that stage:/

 

[mooncake]

What bout with GDPR. Is that Europe wide?

I have no idea what that means

 

[Life_and_Death]

Psychiatrist and psychotherapist in Germany have the right to deny a patient their records, in order to protect their mental stability, because knowing your diagnoses is considered to be a danger to a mentally ill person I guess.

i get this. i wish i never knew

 

[DyingAlf]

What about with GDPR. Is that Europe wide?

Yes GDPR is Europe wide, but I'm not sure if I understand what you meant by "what about with GDPR".
Did you mean that they have to provide the information requested because of GDPR? If so, I think that would be the Data Protection Act (?) which has a clause.....

"The DPA gives rights of access but also allows the Trust to withhold information that might cause serious harm to the physical or mental health of the patient (or anyone else). Information may also be witheld if it relates to, or was provided by, a third party who has not given consent. We do not have to disclose the fact that information has been withheld."

 

[Morphinekiss]

I'm always "extremely intelligent" with a "pleasing disposition", despite years of "blahblahblah". I guess if nothing else atleast I'm nice.

 

[checkouttime]

I found this for the UK " it's not illegal to record a call or even collect data. It is illegal, however, to publicise or share such data with third parties without consent."
So here, you can record a call (one assumes without consent), but it's illegal to do anything with that information. LOL typical.

I think that may mean though. if you tell them you have recorded them you then have their consent.so you would be able to share it. which is most likely why they don't like it!!!!