[wotchermuggle]

Has anyone tried to get a copy of their records, whether they be from a therapist, psychiatrist, or general practitioner?

Were you able to get the records? What difficulties did you face? Was there a cost?

If you feel comfortable, please share what region you are from (eg. US/UK/Canada)

[jkbob]

I believe they are not allowed to charge (in the US) and are required to give them to you if you ask.

I have thought about requesting my records from an xT but have not.

[anneo59]

Originally Posted by jkbob

I believe they are not allowed to charge (in the US) and are required to give them to you if you ask.

I have thought about requesting my records from an xT but have not.

My sentiments exactly

[iGottaBme]

I asked to see a copy of my treatment plan. T asked why and then we reviewed it together. No charge - except the session. Looking back, I wish that I hadn't done it. My T was defensive. It took 3 sessions to get past it and I didn't learn anything new.

My son has had a lot of treatment and I have requested records. Many places have a formal process so it can take some time even when working with a sole practitioner. Governmental agencies will make you jump through hoops unless you have them sent directly to another T and then you do not have to pay because it is considered "continuance of care." When I have requested and received them personally from any mental health professional, I had to pay like I would any other doctor.

You will not see a lot of detail. There are two types of records. One type is summarized in the client's file and that does not have a lot of detail. It has the treatment plan, diagnosis, etc. Very clinical. The other type is the T's internal notes and is not considered part of the record. Those are for the T's use and get destroyed as the T no longer needs them.

I am in the U.S.

[Miswimmy1]

I've heard that ts practically go out of their way to not give them to u...

[wotchermuggle]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

I've heard that ts practically go out of their way to not give them to u...

Personally, I'm more interested in my pdoc notes.

In the US they have to provide them, but I am sure some Ts do get defensive. I imagine their might be a fee for making copies, but I can't imagine it would be much. (I think I was switching some dr. in the past and got charged $10 to have my records copied and given to me for the next dr.; this was not a T.)
If the T had an office staff and I was worried about the T's reaction, I would probably start there. But in the US you are entitled by law to see your medical records.

Originally Posted by wotchermuggle

Personally, I'm more interested in my pdoc notes.

You should be able to get those maybe easier than a T. My pdoc says all he writes in my notes are my treatment plan...what drugs to try, what drugs we tried, side effects, I assume my general state of mind so he had reason to prescribe said drug, etc.

[wotchermuggle]

Originally Posted by sorta_fairytale

In the US they have to provide them, but I am sure some Ts do get defensive. I imagine their might be a fee for making copies, but I can't imagine it would be much. (I think I was switching some dr. in the past and got charged $10 to have my records copied and given to me for the next dr.; this was not a T.)
If the T had an office staff and I was worried about the T's reaction, I would probably start there. But in the US you are entitled by law to see your medical records.

You are entitled here too (Canada), but you can be charged and there is no limit to the amount they can charge you. There is also a loophole where they don't have to let you have them if they think it could be danger to you if you read them.

Originally Posted by wotchermuggle

You are entitled here too (Canada), but you can be charged and there is no limit to the amount they can charge you. There is also a loophole where they don't have to let you have them if they think it could be danger to you if you read them.

Yikes. That seems interesting in a sketchy way...who decides the "danger"..in this case, your pdoc?

[0w6c379]

I'm from U.S. Although I had the right to see my records, my T refused me about 4 times. Finally, when I was ready to end things, I asked one last time and was refused again. I hired an attorney which cost me plenty $$$$ to get them. The records did not reveal anything unusual so why the big secret??? Unless, he held something back (which was likely the case in my situation). I'll probably have to take it to court to get the truth.

I hope things work out better for you.

I want mine from my ex-T now that this thread has me thinking...I know he would freak. And I think he might hold things back as well.
Something to discuss with my current T though. Hmm.
Since they know your records are available to you, then they should be professional in how they handle them, period. Sigh.

[wotchermuggle]

Originally Posted by sorta_fairytale

Yikes. That seems interesting in a sketchy way...who decides the "danger"..in this case, your pdoc?

Actually I don't know

I had a discussion with my T about what things are "discoverable" in his files. When things were really bad with my husband, I was worried about discussing certain things with T because I was worried about those things coming out in the event of a custody dispute. He assured me that he actually puts very little in his notes, and that his private notes to himself would not come out in court. The treatment plan and the diagnosis would be discoverable, but not his notes to himself. I have not really checked into the accuracy of that (and I'm an attorney, so you would think I would have double checked that - but I didn't).

[Moodswing]

I don't think I want to read what they wrote. I would be embarrassed at myself. I was in a bad place in my head early on. I feel better now but I feel embarrassed at myself when I look back.

[winter4me]

I once got all of mine from a t----it was interesting, i meant to do a great paper mache piece with them but one day I just burned them.

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by wotchermuggle

There is also a loophole where they don't have to let you have them if they think it could be danger to you if you read them.

Section 52 of PHIPA (Ontario) lists different situations that prevent patient access: Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 3, Sched. A

[wotchermuggle]

Originally Posted by The_little_didgee

Section 52 of PHIPA (Ontario) lists different situations that prevent patient access: Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004, S.O. 2004, c. 3, Sched. A

Yep, lots of "reasons".

I'm more concerned about the cost. I've read some reports that it's several hundred dollars to more than a thousand.

[nicoleb2]

Typically in the US, they can charge you for copying your records if it is just for your own personal use. For continuity of care, they usually don't.
I just had to get records from my gp, and since it is for taking with me to Mayo clinic, I did not have to pay

[retro_chic]

I'm from Australia and I tried to get a copy of my record from the first Psychiatrist I saw. I got my T to write a letter to the Pdoc requesting my file and all that was given to me was a one page letter stating that the Psychiatrist treated me. That was it. I never got my record. It was pretty annoying. I wasn't charged any kind of fee though.

[Jungatheart]

So, as said, in the US it's your technical right to get your records. And therapists can refuse. There's no real uniformity - from what I have learned, it all depends on the type of therapist (LPC, LSW, Pdoc, ect) and if they have a private practice versus an office with many workers. More workers = better chance.

If it's the money part, there might be creative ways around it. You can try to get it through another professional - sign a release of info on your records and see if the therapist delivers. Nothing can be done if they don't. You can try a pro bono lawyer, who can subpena your records, but you must have an active case from what I understand. I have heard of people trying to beat an abusive therapist at their own game. One convinced exT that she wanted to burn all records in a ceremony of closure - and he handed it all over. I'm not saying I encourage deception, just letting you know what I have learned in my own search on the same topic.

It's really an area that is so under-regulated and ought to be easier.

[harrietm]

I got my records from my internist because I was changing doctors. I was charged $75 for making the copies. If they had sent them directly to the new doctor it would have been free. I'm in the US.

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by wotchermuggle

I'm more concerned about the cost. I've read some reports that it's several hundred dollars to more than a thousand.

I requested records from two different Ontario hospitals. One did not charge me. At the other, I had to pay a fee of $25. That hospital had a maximum fee they could charge, no matter how many copies one requested. None of their fees exceeded $75.

Getting copies from a private clinic is usually more costly. When a client has not attended a clinic for a period of time (e.g. 2 years) records are moved to a storage facility, that may be located in another city. This is what makes it so costly.

Electronic medical records make it a lot easier to get copies.

I have read my records and did not find it very helpful. They are legal documents, so progress notes and so on document treatments, observations and recommendations. There are no personal judgements on a client's character, such as "I dislike Didgee, because her persistence is very annoying".

What do you hope to learn from your psychiatrist's notes?

If you decide to get copies, I suggest you take them to another healthcare professional who can explain the terminology used (e.g. overvalued ideas).

[wotchermuggle]

Wow, thank you so much for everyone's suggestions and help - especially those of you who are here in Canada. I feel stronger about trying to get the notes.

I want them just because I get paranoid and would like to know what's in them.

[anneo59]

Originally Posted by Jungatheart

So, as said, in the US it's your technical right to get your records. And therapists can refuse. There's no real uniformity - from what I have learned, it all depends on the type of therapist (LPC, LSW, Pdoc, ect) and if they have a private practice versus an office with many workers. More workers = better chance.

If it's the money part, there might be creative ways around it. You can try to get it through another professional - sign a release of info on your records and see if the therapist delivers. Nothing can be done if they don't. You can try a pro bono lawyer, who can subpena your records, but you must have an active case from what I understand. I have heard of people trying to beat an abusive therapist at their own game. One convinced exT that she wanted to burn all records in a ceremony of closure - and he handed it all over. I'm not saying I encourage deception, just letting you know what I have learned in my own search on the same topic.

It's really an area that is so under-regulated and ought to be easier.

absolutely!