Written reports on all medical appointments - how do they makeyou feel??

It is a tricky one. I firmly believe we are responsible for our health and getting copies of medical reports is good. No excuse to put your head in the sand.

But sometimrs the information recorded can be worrying especially if it's not quite correct.
My question is does anyone at the GP surgery actually read the letter or are they just filed into yout notes. They must receive 100s a day.
Franbern it would be worrying to read something which you weren't told about at your appointment.
I think I prefer to receive the letters and like being able to check blood test results. But also ass a dollop of "it may not happen" like when I read the side effects of various drugs.

In answer to both the above comments: I am quite happy to receive these letters - as long as they are accurate! One consultant would not take me on because I was a heavy smoker! I don't smoke!

Secondly, GPs only really read the first paragraph on the consultant's letter which gives a precis of the diagnosis. If you want to find out more or get clarification, you need to ask the GP for a translation of the exact bits.

dalrymple23

In answer to both the above comments: I am quite happy to receive these letters - as long as they are accurate! One consultant would not take me on because I was a heavy smoker! I don't smoke!

Secondly, GPs only really read the first paragraph on the consultant's letter which gives a precis of the diagnosis. If you want to find out more or get clarification, you need to ask the GP for a translation of the exact bits.

In that case, get it corrected! I always read reports like a hawk and get any mistake corrected.

This is an eye-opening thread! I have been out-sourced by the NHS for a procedure and I received a pages-long document setting out my medical history which swiftly amended my own perception of being very healthy.

Additionally, this long, long medical report had missed a recent colonoscopy and I had to notice it and bring it to their attention.

On the accuracy front, I reported to the reception a mistake on my patient record - I had been wrongly recorded as having a flu vaccination on my recent visit. When the receptionist got what I was saying she seemed bemused that I bothered reporting it.

Still, I know they're all very busy.....

I always want to know everything that is found.

When I was being misdiagnosed with TIAs, After an MRI scan, I was told, incidentally, by the vascular team that I had a benign slow growing tumour on my brain. These are uite common in older people and can be ignored bar an annual scan. Several friends have them. However I was not told about the annual scan and only discovered when a friend had one. By then it was over 3 years since my initial diagnosis. if doctors in the vascular unit hadn't mentioned the tumour, I would never have discussed it with a friend and never realised I needed an annual scan.

Yes I always ask for a report to be sent to myself.
Also blood work, I ask for a print out at the surgery so I can keep an eye on my cholesterol & kidney function.

I always end up wondering if its about me, since i can't remember any of what they've written as fact.

dalrymple23

In answer to both the above comments: I am quite happy to receive these letters - as long as they are accurate! One consultant would not take me on because I was a heavy smoker! I don't smoke!

Secondly, GPs only really read the first paragraph on the consultant's letter which gives a precis of the diagnosis. If you want to find out more or get clarification, you need to ask the GP for a translation of the exact bits.

presumably they read the last paragraph too where any drug amendments (that GP may prescribe) are likely to be listed & actions for GP / practice. (although this is more relevant - as more changes - with inpatient discharge summaries)

I've had two spelling mistakes on my records. One indicated that I had secondary cancer (I don't) rather than age-related spine degeneration (I do). The other said I had myeloma, which is blood cancer (I don't) and not melanoma (I did).

I've also had corrections made about my smoking status. I'm a former smoker (from a long time ago), not a "never smoker". This could make a difference as to whether I am called up for screening. I also had on my records that I refused to go to an obesity clinic, even though I've never even been overweight. There are also mistakes in a letter to a hospital about my medications.

I accept that staff are busy, but it's not acceptable for mistakes like this to be made, especially as there is no continuity of care and staff rely on written records.

I haven’t got a lot of these letters but I do find the NHS app very useful. A recent example was a repeat blood test as something flagged up on the first one. I had it done but then heard nothing further. By looking on the notes on the app, I could see what was recorded and that the GP stated no further action was needed. It had stabilised. So, for me, I found it all useful.

I understand where you are coming from Franbern
I underwent an examination by a specialist physiotherapist and her account of the appointment duly appeared in my NHSapp. To my horror and embarrassment, it contained a detailed description of an area few have seen. I really would like the record amended and I know that only she can do that. I must raise the matter with my GP.

Dalyrimole I agree it has to be right , I received a report saying that the cyst appeared to be benign , however I didn’t know I had a cyst, when I checked it appeared it was A “typing error” now I am confused

You can't seriously expect busy doctors to write toned down reports in non scary language for patients as well as serious medical documents that other staff need to know.

I really wish we had a NHS app but Scotland had to be different so we don't have one. Apparently it's been promised but I'm not holding my breath.

My notes say that i refused immunotherapy on the grounds that ""I don't want my life to get any worse than it already is."
What happened was that i was willing to have it, but the oncologist rang me and said he felt it was too risky, therefore he wasn't happy to let me have it.

Inaccurate reports must be amended

I have a number of autoimmune conditions and have to go to various departments. Over a number of years I've noticed inaccurate accounts of the consultations that I've had. It's like really did we attend the same appt. The inaccuracies are frequent. They name medications I've never heard or been on. Conditions I have never heard of. I called gynae secretary once to ask them to amend the follow up consultants letter...it was like oh my god they must be talking about another patient. I know they're very busy but it's potentially dangerous. I did call the CQC to say that if it's happening to me then many others must be experiencing this. They said they certainly can and do address these issues when they gather enough complaints and can follow up with an unannounced visit to monitor them.

Don't have a system of receiving letters/reports unless private consulations. I had a NHS consultation in November last year and verbally told what the issue was and that I'd be added to waiting list. I hadcwaited 64 weeks for that consultation and didn't fancy waiting a further 64 weeks for treatment. Contacted a private health company who said they could help. Attended for assessment several tests carried (NHS none) out only to be informed what NHS consultant had diagnosed
was wrong. The private consultant wrote to GP and I had a copy. GP referred me to correct hospital department, appointment within 2 months and placed on that waiting list. If I had not gone for private appointment I would have been waiting for months for the wrong treatment. The second consultant fully accepted the diagnosis from the private one. Doesn't matter if you receive a copy report, what matters that the diagnosis is correct in the first place.

That's appalling 4allweknow. Scary! I'm glad you could afford to go privately. Not all can of course...so very worrying.

How do you get incorrect details amended, please?

If the details came from a hospital appt then call the consultant's secretary and tell them what you think is incorrect and ask that they send out a letter to you and info to GP with correct info and incorrect removed. But if they are older details then speak to your GP surgery, maybe start with the practice manager and tell them what you feel is incorrect and you want incorrect details removed. They can advise how to go about it. Hope that helps Doodledog.

It does, thanks. 😊

My letter said "this 68 year old man with an injury to right leg.......
At the time I was a 50 odd year old woman with injury to left arm.

I had a vasectomy, apparently.