I want a copy of my medical records

I would like to get a copy of my medical file/documents, especially of medicines prescribed, from a previous doctor to pass on to my new doctor.

First, is there a special procedure for this?
Second, what can I say in Japanese for this below:

"I'd like to have a copy of my file/documents, especially names of medicines prescribed, to pass on to my new doctor. Is this OK and when can I collect them?"

When doctors prescribe medicines to you, the pharmacy must be giving you papers describing what they are, side effects, etc., with the dates when you had them prescribed or when you picked them up at a dispensing pharmacy. If you keep them with you, that gives you a full record?

Hi. If I had those I wouldn't be posting.

In addition, it IS my full record that I would like to have.

if you want to change doctors, just show your medicines you are taking, to a new doctors.
generally speaking, if you ask to get the FULL medical records, it means that you collect the records to sue the doctor by some reason.

about medicines,
as written by ..., I think you already received the documents which explain the medicines. you lost them.

there are at least two ways to get prescription medicines.
1. get medicines from doctors directly. it is now rare. you may ask a reception staff for re-issuing the same document (the newest one), not to the doctor.
2. get a prescription from doctors. you bring that to a pharmacy to buy medicines. in that case, only the pharmacist knows the medicine name precisely. Ask the pharmacist.

Ken

Thanks, but to clarify. My last contact with previous doc was about 2 years back, so I don't have full info from that situation. I didn't keep records well because I didn't think my condition would deteriorate as it has recently

My condition is potentially serious, so I need to pass on to new doc absolutely clear description of what previous doc did (which was very, very good...). It's not at all a matter of suing. Would it really be seen as that???

Given that one goes to many different docs/hospitals (vs UK system of one local doc and hospital = all records centralized) in Japan is this really something that would be viewed negatively? Isn't it just plain common sense? PLUS it's my body, my pain and I need to make sure ANY doc I have to see knows my history well in order to get appropriate treatment. Is that culturally so strange???

So, please, if someone could help with my first request that would really be the help I need just now. Thank you.

I agree with ken. What would you feel if your client, customer, whatever just came to you and ask for all the person's record without any reason?
It is not "it's my body" thing.
Yes you have right to ask the doctor to do it, and he/she was very nice doc. So add the reason why you need them. And I think I can help you.
Which is better, writing in alphabet (if you pronounce it by yourself) or in Japanese with kanji (if you show it to a Japanese/paste it to an email)?

I don't know why you are changing doctors, but anyway if you want your treatment record, you could ask for "shinryou jouhou teikyou sho" (treatment information provision document, literally), which works like a reference letter that one doctor writes to another at another hospital/doctor, summarizing the diagnosis, treatment, medication given, etc.

There is a fee associated with it.

If you are asked why, and if you are not going to that doctor anymore, you could say "hikkosu no de" (because I'm moving).

What they accommodate might also depend on the size of the clinic/hospital, in some cases the doctor might just not take the trouble to write out anything, but just give you photo copies of the record. (The doctor needs to keep his original at his clinic.)

You could ask: "shinryou jouhou teikyou sho ka, karute no kopii wo itadakemasu ka." (Could I have either treatment information document, or a copy of my medical records?)

amenoshita

I'm surprise you agree with Ken and fail to see my side. The 'without reason' is actually that the former doctor is a sports specialist who kindly and very well did what he could for me. But his staff made it clear, to my surprise, that since my condition was not a sports injury, I should not be there (despite I had asked the doc if it was appropriate for him to treat me).

So, I had to move on...and for THIS I need the (MY!!) records in order to ensure I can get appropriate treatment now. Am I missing something here, because I don't get why that should be such an issue?

Or perhaps you think I should just continue to suffer so as not to upset anyone....??

Sorry to be so blunt, but this IS a potentially devastating condition, and I come first in this!

"all records centralized".
not yet in japan.

by the way, it already passed 2 years. I think the doctor does not keep the record at hand, your record might be in warehouse.
I can say that the two years old information is generally not useful,
and Japanese doctor's treatments are very standardized, not much different.

Guest,
Please read my post, you should be able to obtain it.
Best wishes.

haha, it is similar to the story of "the north wind and the sun".
if you want to know the previous treatment, just go to the same doctor to get the same treatment, right now. (that is most Japanese are doing.)
you don't need to ask a copy of your old medical records.
you can get a new medical record of the same one, without saying anything to the previous doctor.

are you misunderstanding that you can't consult the previous doctor, if you have a new doctor ?

ken and amenoshita,

Requesting medical records is a totally normal procedure, and can be vital in maintaining consistent treatment when changing doctors. That said, the OP's reasons are irrelevant to their question and frankly none of your business. Please do not complicate the thread any further.

OP,
I hope you read the post by "...." 2015/12/10 20:08 which gives you good advice/useful information.
If the doctor (or the reception) do not speak English, you can show the request in Japanese:
診療記録提供書かカルテのコピーをいただけませんか。

2015/12/10 20:08
Yes, indeed. Thank you for that.

Amenoshita
When you have something productive to add, please do that, but stop the cheap trolling. Go and play somewhere else...

yllwsmrf
Yes, that's how I was seeing this - as perfectly sensible action to protect one's health.

to yllwsmrf,

"In addition, it IS my full record that I would like to have."
the OP requests "full" record.

the two, full record and 診療情報提供書, are different. I think the latter is only a summary, definitely not full.