Posted by ksvt on March 7, 2001, at 8:24:50
In reply to Re: Losing it ..., posted by willow on March 7, 2001, at 7:53:24
> Kiddo - I think this has a very easy solution and you are caught in between 2 docs who obviously had not worked this out in advance. My guess is that you are always entitled to a copy of any file which exists, and that a failure to deliver the file would be some sort of violation of the medical ethics standards for your state. Patients don't ordinarily run into this problem becase the parting physicians have already worked this stuff out. I was once in a not disimilar situation. My pdoc, who owned the practice, was being abandoned by most of the docs and therapists who worked for him because they wanted to set up their own practice. During the time that I was a patient there, I also met with one of the therapists who was part of the group that left. This break-up was pretty acrimonious I believe. Nonetheless, I got a letter from the clinic explaining the break-up and indicationg that if I wanted a copy of my file to go with one of the docs who was leaving I simply needed to sign a consent to the transfer. These are confidential files and the clinic has responsibilities as the custodian of the file. But I also believe there is probably some regulation or statute which obligates them to release them to you or to whomever you want to have them. I have to believe that this blindsided your Doc some. Otherwise he should have had a release ready for you to sign. I would ask him about this - this shouldn't really be your problem to worry about and if its causing you a great deal of distress you should let him know that as well. Ask him if they have to release a copy of the file to him if you sign a release. I'm sure this is information that he should know or have learned as part of his licensing procedure. Let us know how things work out. This a very legitimate issue and you certainly should not be hesitant about ever posting here. K
poster:ksvt
thread:4983
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010209/msgs/4987.html