Health Cards (27)
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Dear Bill
I have been standing back amazed at the discussion going on!
We use patient carried records for all our outpatient care and find it very
successful but there are times when patients prefer to 'lose' their
records. Much of the past information of diseases and treatments is
irrelevant to present complaints.
History taking from a patient is in fact an opportunity to make contact
with the person as well as to find out information. It puts the present
complaint also into the emotional context of the individual.
I strongly support the use of patient held records as being efficient
and more readily accessible in clinical situations but do not believe
that draconian measures to reduce the patient to an obedient servant
of the health service provider are either desirable or justified.
What is most relevant is the present active information and the most
effective record is small, easy to carry, and acceptable to the owner.
Victor
Mseleni Hospital
KwaZuluNatal
South Africa
mailto:victor@dhmsel.db.healthlink.org.za
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