QUESTIONS YOUR HEALTH CARE TEAM WILL ASK YOU
Be ready to share information about your medical history. Your health care team will need to know about your past and present, including illnesses and chronic conditions, allergies, medications, family history, smoking, alcohol consumption and your level of physical activity. You can save time and offer more accurate information if you create a personal medical history.
• Create and maintain a personal health record (PHR) online using a service provided by your doctor or insurer. Some allow you to make this information available electronically to your health care team, and with others you create and keep the information on your personal computer.
http://www.google.com/health
• Keep track of your medical information by organizing your medical records (the papers you are given when you receive medical care, copies of your bills, insurance information) in a file, and alert a friend or family member about its location in case of an emergency. Make detailed notes about your medical history, including:
• your illnesses and conditions, and the times you’ve been hospitalized
• your family medical history (parents, grandparents and siblings)
• all medications and supplements you’re currently taking, including dosages
• allergies and known reactions to medications
• tests, results and immunizations
• Bring your medical file with you whenever you receive health care. It can help you give your doctor accurate, up-to-date information that could significantly impact your care. Many of us forget vital details when we’re meeting with a new doctor, or when we’re in pain or in a stressful situation. By sharing your detailed personal medical history with your caregivers, you may save time, money, and even your own life.
• Speak up. Don’t assume that your doctor already has information about your allergies or chronic condition. It’s okay to say, "It’s important for you to know that I have diabetes."
• If your doctor does not ask questions about it your medical history, it may be time to look for another provider.
Want to write your medical history, but don’t know where to start? These links can help:
How to Write a Personal Medical History Form
This article lists what you need to write down in a do-it-yourself medical history form.
http://www.essortment.com/all/personalmedical_rxou.htm
Family Health History
How and why to get information about your family’s health history.
http://www.apha.org/NR/rdonlyres/55C79C8B-0AF9-4F3F-A113-C433681C4762/0/TNHHealthyYou1208.pdf
Examples of Medical History Forms
http://www.pamf.org/forms/143952_Adult_Med_Hx.pdf
http://www.harvardvanguard.org/phys/AdultMedicalHistory.pdf