Dear Dr. S. Ganesh,
My Body, My Records: Healthcare Isn’t a Library—Patients Aren’t Borrowers
First and foremost, I sincerely thank you for your comprehensive and well-reasoned response explaining why patients are not given their own health records. Your perspective is appreciated.
However, until full digitalization becomes fully operational, I respectfully submit that practical interim solutions are both possible and necessary—solutions that place patients at the centre of their own healthcare as medical records belong to the patient, not to the Filing Cabinet
A patient is routinely entrusted with safeguarding vital documents such as national identity cards, driving licences, property deeds, and utility records. In that context, it is both logical and reasonable to expect patients to safely retain their medical records—documents that are equally, if not more, critical to their wellbeing.
With this in mind, I humbly propose the following options for your consideration:
- The preferred option: Hand over the medical records to the respective patient.
- Patient choice: Allow patients to decide whether the records remain with the clinic or are taken home.
- Use of NCR paper: Provide either the original or a duplicate copy to the patient at each consultation.
- Photocopies on request: Ensure patients are given copies of their medical records without undue barriers.
When records are retained exclusively by a clinic, patients are effectively restricted from seeking a second opinion or consulting another practitioner, should they wish to do so. This limitation can directly affect continuity of care and informed medical decision-making.
It is not uncommon for a different specialist to identify that an ongoing course of treatment may not be the most suitable for a patient. Enabling easy access to medical records empowers patients, supports clinical accuracy, and ultimately enhances healthcare outcomes.
I sincerely hope you will consider adopting at least one of the above measures in the interim, in the best interests of patient autonomy, transparency, and quality of care.
Treatment Without Transparency Is Not Trust!!
Rgds
Mohamed Zahran
