Why Do Doctors Seem to Forget Patient History?
As I sift through my medical records, I've come across a recurring pattern in my doctor's notes. I am a 38-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 184 pounds. My ethnic background is Caucasian and I deal with several health issues, including bipolar disorder, chronic abdominal swelling, persistent diarrhea, ADHD, and trouble breathing when upright. My prescribed medications include Seroquel at 300mg, methylphenidate at 18mg, pantoprazole at 40mg, and sildenafil at 25mg. While reviewing the documentation from my appointments, I noticed a tendency in my doctor's approach. In the plans she outlines for me, there are instances where she suggests considering tests like pulmonary function tests, colonoscopies, or CT scans if my symptoms continue. However, she never actually initiates these tests. This pattern is evident during visits where I explicitly voiced my symptoms. It has led me to wonder about her retention of my symptoms and overall health concerns. Shouldn't there be a continuity in her notes? Does she not revisit her past entries before or during our meetings? Am I expected to reiterate all my health issues at each appointment? Is there something I'm missing in our interactions? Does she assume that my health issues resolve themselves between visits? Is each session treated as a fresh start? On a separate note, I'm curious about why my posts seem to vanish unless I list all my personal details at the beginning. I've seen plenty of others post without doing so.
Answers (1)
7/1/2025, 7:10:37 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about the continuity of care when it seems like your doctor may not be fully recalling your medical history or following through on suggested tests. Here’s a breakdown of the situation and how you can take steps to ensure better communication with your healthcare provider.
Main Points:
- Doctor's Record-Keeping: Healthcare professionals often rely on electronic health records (EHRs) to track patient history, but discrepancies can occur.
- Importance of Advocacy: You have a right and an opportunity to express your needs and ensure all concerns are addressed.
- Communication is Key: Continuous dialogue is essential for effective healthcare; you should feel empowered to reiterate concerns.
Explanation:
Doctors document each appointment based on the information presented at that visit. While they should review your past notes before your appointment, the fast-paced nature of healthcare can sometimes result in forgetting or overlooking previous discussions. It’s also possible that your doctor is considering your health issues as ongoing and may anticipate that certain tests could be warranted depending on symptom changes.
Unfortunately, this can lead to a scenario where, if your symptoms are not discussed in detail during each visit, the suggested tests may not be initiated. While it may feel repetitive, reiterating your health issues and concerns each appointment can help reinforce their significance in your care.
Next Steps:
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Prepare for Appointments: Before your next visit, write down a list of your current symptoms, any changes since your last appointment, and specific concerns regarding follow-ups on tests. Bring this list with you and hand it to your doctor.
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Advocate for Yourself: If you feel certain tests are necessary or if suggestions have been made previously, don’t hesitate to ask directly why those tests haven’t been done and express your desire for further evaluation.
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Request Clarification: Before leaving each appointment, summarize what you understood about the plan moving forward. Make sure there's clarity about follow-ups on tests and symptoms. This mutual understanding can help establish continuity.
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Consider a Care Summary: Ask if possible to have a consolidated summary of your health history or management plan that you can review and bring back to appointments.
Improving communication with your healthcare provider can help bridge any gaps and allow for better-tailored management of your health concerns. Remember, you are your own best advocate.
Regarding your other note about disappearing posts, it can be helpful to include details about health background to facilitate context and understanding in forums. Every platform may have different guidelines for sharing information.
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