Posted by Dinah on January 30, 2003, at 17:05:07
In reply to What happens to our records?, posted by mair on January 30, 2003, at 10:20:01
I think there are laws that vary from state to state. The clinic my therapist works from is closing so we've discussed this recently.
They're giving him a copy of my records, but they're required to keep the records for so many years after which they are supposed to incinerate or shred or otherwise dispose of them confidentially.
In the case of a private practioner, where the records end up in the hands of the family, I'm not sure that could be enforced. I imagine the family could just put them in the trash or something without knowing any better. I'm almost positive I heard of a therapist's records sitting in his basement until his wife died. Then the family threw them out.
I'll have to ask my therapist if he has provisions for the disposal of patient records in the case of a sudden ummm.... incapacitation.
Fortunately he takes minimal notes. He's read me back the notes from the prior session sometimes and it's usually just a comment on my overall mood, and notes on any med changes.
poster:Dinah
thread:2352
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20021230/msgs/2367.html