Medical Records??!

Medical Records??

How exactly do Medical records work? See, I was thinking of joining the military, but on military.com it says that when you go to talk to a recruiter it's a good idea to bring your medical records. I've been to more than one doctor throughout my life, I'm confused, what exactly do I do... it seems impractical to get a report from every health/medical/doctor/hospital facilaty that I've ever been to?? Can someone please expain...

I too work in the medical field. Your current doctor should be able to help you put together your medical history, as well as your parents.

Medical records are documents of your office visits, labwork, x-rays, consultations to specialists, and correspondence between doctors you have seen. These days, many health clinics are using electronic medical records that are on their computer systems, making it a lot simpler to find and diagnose, and keep track of one person's medical ailments.

I would go to your current doctor and explain what it is that you have been told you need. Your doctor can then "Cliff's notes" your medical history, outlining major illnesses and conditions into a letter to take to your military physician. He can write this letter to you for you to hand carry.

HIPPA regulations state that your medical information is confidential and cannot be released to anyone but you without your specific signed consent (abridged version).