Reading Charts and Records

I will apologize in advance if I posted this in the wrong section...

Has anyone ever gotten excited by reading charts or medical records about procedures done to either themselves or their significant other?

I also would be interested to know what all is documented. As an example, if my wife goes to a GP and he does a rectal exam because of a complaint of back pain, would the rectal exam be recorded as being done or would the report simply state she was examined for complaint of back pain with no detail on "how" she was examined or what examination procedures were utilized?

Medical practitoners are the most anal retentive people on earth. First they will tell you that your records belong to them and you have no right to read the record. Then they will tell you that you will not understand what they have written. If you persist they will put your record out of reach!

Psychotherapists are at a different level of retention. They will do anything, ANYTHING!!! to keep you from your records. It you sneak your record out of their facility they will try to have you arrested! If you go to court they will fight to the bitter end to retain the records and if they feel that they are about to loose control of the record they will destroy it, claiming that they only keep records for a specific period of time.

If you are serious about seeing your records the best solution is to hire an attorney to request the records. At the same time the attorney should go to court and get an order forbiding the destruction of the records. You are in for a long and expensive ride and in the end some practitioners will refuse to release the records even if you have a court order. They will defy the court and make a scene if they are threatened with jail. Once locked up they will continue to fight and attempt to have the records destroyed.

Good luck.

StephenS,

Obviously I don't know if this is relevant to your personal experiences, but as someone who's similarly distrustful of doctors I REALLY wanted to say to everyone that the right to get a copy of your medical record is explicitly listed in HIPAA!! You probably all knew that, but I like to promulgate patient rights 😃 There are definitely psychotherapy-related exceptions to the HIPAA ruling, but if a provider is bound by HIPAA (most are) then you can still make complaints to the Health & Human Services Office of Civil Rights. In my (albeit limited) personal experience, just telling health care providers the details of my complaint got me the results I wanted. There are fines for HIPAA violations. And sometimes there is mandatory HIPAA awareness classes, which may or may not be a worse punishment.

I'll try to keep this diversion from the actual thread topic short, but I did also want to say that after some unpleasant experiences of my own I now grill doctors as soon as I meet them about their note-taking/medical records practices. I'm fortunate to live in an area with an abundance of doctors, so if I don't like someone's answers I go to another doctor. Because feeling powerless (not in the fun way) as a patient is HORRIBLE.

and back to the actual thread topic, I don't find reading my own medical records exciting (and I hope they stay boring!) but I think that fantasy medical records are a quite a turn-on. Part of that for me is the realism, and the very clinical tone describing unpleasant things. I think the appeal is in the idea that the doctor had a detached, dispassionate experience and was completely control of what happened, while the patient experienced intense fear/arousal/humiliation/pain and had no control over what was being done. Also, made-up medical records are kind of like the outline of a story - and your imagination can fill in the rest. Quite nice if you want to record a fantasy but don't have the time/inclination/whatever to write a full story. Information about things like guidelines for writing notes, diagnosis and procedure codes, and examples of medical records formats are easily available online.

It's funny that I have friends for whom reading that sort of thing is a professional necessary evil, and for me it's practically erotica.

I like very much to read true medical and specially gynecological reports: I also like to read reports of exams such pelvic and breast ultrasounds and mamograms. I also like to read true medical cases files that you van find at internet from physical diagnosis to laparoscopies and other pelvic and gynecological surgeries.

Writing imaginary medical charts or reports is for me a very exciting thing to do. I would love to have more time to do it. It's a mind trip tool that can be used by playdoctors and playpatients. Imaginary cases may be worked out from the least seriuos issues to really delicate matters. I also would like to write letters or medical reports to other playdoctors sending them a patient ( real or imaginary ) to have his or her second opinion.

This kind of role play may perfectly be done by e-mail only with text, images if we want and lots lots of imagination!

A section or a blog could be created about this!

I echo sjaney re: your right to your records. I have never had a problem getting a copy of my records. As to the topical question, most medical records I have read (which include my former wife's and those of one or two women I with whom have had a long relationship) are boring recitations. Some of the hospital charts, however, which contain nurses' comments and progress notes have had some interesting and enjoyable reading.

I too love reading my own records - both my GP and hospital ones. I have never had a problem with accessing them. Indeed I have my own copy of my summary, and some of my records from hospital when I was a child. Patients in the UK have a legal right of access to their notes, though some things can be withheld at the GPs discretion.

I also find it exciting to read about medical procedures/examinations and even operations, those I have undergone and those I have not. I have loved reading medical dictionaries and textbooks since I was a child, and now am able to access details of many more procedures online. I would far rather read than watch a video.

I love medical terminology, it is a language unto itself and one that takes some practice to develop fluency. I love reading charts and records and got plenty of practice while I was a surgical vet tech. Is it a turn-on? Well, I wouldn't go quite that far but it is interesting to read what's in my chart. I have never read the chart of another human because that's private although I would be happy to do so if offered the chance.

As part of my professional training I am fully conversant with medical records requirements under HIPAA and I have to say I have never had any trouble accessing my medical records, including procedural and surgical records, when I have requested them through the proper channels. There certainly has never been any reason to resort to hiring an attorney and seeking a court order. I'm inclined to think that kind of action only muddies the water between the healthcare professional and the patient. Further, I know very few doctors that would fail to comply with a valid subpoena duces tecum and risk a contempt citation. Doctors that are reluctant to comply usually state that the scope of the subpoena is too broad and the judge or court official will ask the party seeking the information to narrow their request to specific dates or specific illnesses/treatments. But that's just my experience.

I love medical terminology, it is a language unto itself...

Oh yes ladydoc - the terminology! That was pretty much my first love, having always had an interest in languages.

I have loved reading medical dictionaries and textbooks since I was a child...

I picked up a great deal of the terminology through reading those dictionaries, and now have an extensive medical vocabulary that can sometimes even surprise medical professionals.

Medical records may be the cause of my Medfet. My wife was a medical transcriptionist for 20 years. A medical transcriptionist listens to the patient notes dictated by a doctor on some type of audio media, and then types the notes into a format that becomes part of the patient chart. The first five years were in a clinic. After our son was born she started her own business working from home. She would pick up cassette tapes from the doctors she contracted with and bring them home to transcribe.

First and foremost let me state that my wife was very diligent in keeping information confidential. She shredded every scrap of paper that didn't print correctly and erased the audio tapes when done transcribing them. The folder in her computer and computer itself were password protected, and any files transmitted electronically were encrypted.

From time to time her headphones would malfunction on her dictaphone and she would just use the speaker when working in her home office. I could not help but overhear the doctor describing the findings of the patients just seen. I especially enjoyed hearing one of the female physicians dictating notes for a male physical exam. Over the years I heard many descriptions of exams and procedures that helped foster a medfet appetite in me I think.

The electronic medical records act under Obamacare put my wife out of business. The federal forms she had to file annually required too much expensive, professional legal help in order to comply with the law.

I have found openness to sharing medical information to be sporadic. Some care providers are quite open, while others seem to be quite secretive. My chiropractor is very open, even linking her records into a medical information sharing service (Patient Fusion). Not everything is there, but I know if I asked, I could have anything I want. I had two colonoscopies at the VA, and in both cases I got detailed reports of the procedure, including pictures in the first case. All lab work is available to patients online from the VA, however X-Ray, CAT scan and MRI reports are not. My chiropractor requested those reports and gave me a copy when I asked her about it. I like to keep track of what is going on, and I have either printed lab results or they are in a file on my computer going back several years.

Medical records may be the cause of my Medfet...she would just use the speaker when working in her home office. I could not help but overhear the doctor describing the findings of the patients just seen. I especially enjoyed hearing one of the female physicians dictating notes for a male physical exam.

Mike, that sounds really hot. I would also have enjoyed listening to female doctors describe a male physical exam that they just completed.

I've done a lot of formal chart reviews for QC and insurance purposes. Except for surgical procedures it gets old, usually just mining for details.

All this talk about reading charts and accessing records reminds me of an episode of Seinfeld...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyossoHFDJg

As for my own experience, I recall rifling through a folder that my parents kept containing my medical-related paperwork once when I was younger. I was hoping to find some type of exam summary but ended up seeing nothing but insurance paperwork and bill receipts.

I do recall a trip to my pediatrician later, when I intentionally tried to read my chart as he was making notes. It was largely unreadable, but I recall seeing: "testic. check", which gave me a slight thrill.

More benefits of reading your medical records: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/04/letting-patients-read-the-doctors-notes/?ref=health

Lately a lot of doctors actually tape your records right in front of you. My mother's cardiologist does. He clicks through the computer coming to each area of his report and while you sit there, he tape records his findings. I found it kind of hot - especially since he is kind of hot. Listening to him go through the test results from the examination was really riveting. My mother paid no attention but I hung on every word. He also had a great voice. I would love to have gotten a copy of the tape for future play reference. Maybe the next time I take her I will sneak my own recorder in and make a copy. He got very detailed and technical, and while cardiology isn't exactly my thing, I would enjoy it. I would love to have a gyn who did that!!

I had my first physical after starting puberty at age 13, and it included a genital exam.

Many years later I worked at the same hospital and I went to the Medical Records department and pulled my chart to see what my doctor wrote.

Under the "GU" section she wrote "pubic hair," meaning, I guess, that I had started to develop pubic hair, which, I thought, was pretty cool.

I obtained my medical records from my previous clinic. I just had to mail in a form and pay a copying fee. I suppose they were mildly interesting but not really erotic in and of themselves. It was more that reading the details of my complete physical triggered memories of the more exciting elements from the exam.

It is interesting seeing how different doctors describe the same thing. I obtained the records from my old doctor and in his charting from a physical he managed to document on my genitalia without once using the word penis or any synonyms--he just wrote "normal male" before moving on to document the testicular exam. However, from a more recent physical with a different doctor, that doctor actually used the wording 'penis normal' and noted that I'm circumcised (which my old doctor didn't mention at all--perhaps because he's older and circumcised is basically the default to him).

About ten years ago, when I was in my twenties, I requested and obtained my medical records from the pediatrician I saw form ages 11 through 18. He used a preprinted check list for physicals which the doctor just marked with his exam findings. The form was apparently gender specific and seemed that it must have been printed just for that office since there was no copyright printed on it. It was just a check list with all the body systems listed and columns to check "normal" or "abnormal" with a blank line next to those columns for the doctor to write a description of any abnormal findings. What I liked a lot was that there were items for "penis," "testes,""hernia," and "Tanner Stage" rather than just one item for "genitalia." I have masturbated many times looking at those records and recalling the feelings I had during the exam of my penis and testicles and the hernia exam. I also like thinking what the doctor was seeing as my gemital development progressed and remembering the commands he has giving me for the genital exam. As with every exam form I have seen, I deeply regret that it did not include any notation of circumcision status. In my opinion, this is a huge omission from all exam forms.

I have composed a documen which can be usefull when performing examinsincluded enemas. You can also use it when doing follow up over a period of time

http://www.zity.biz/index.php?mx=blog;ox=showitem;id=629

I picked up a copy of my medical records last week as the PCP who I adore left the practice. I decided to go somewhere else rather than stay and see another provider at the practice and I wanted my medical records in hand when I went to my next PCP. Of course I sat down and read the entire packet. It was exciting to read the physician’s notes and remember the physical or office visit. I actually hate the whole process while it’s happening but it was exciting to read about it afterward. The physician allots a whole hour for physicals and is super thorough. However, I was surprised at how little was in the notes. None of the notes from my physicals said anything about a rectal exam or a prostate exam. In one he noted that anoscopy was performed and was normal but he must have clicked the wrong box as I’ve never had that done. Genital exam was only mentioned in one physical note and merely stated “genitalia normal”. Each physical has always included a DRE and a genital exam. So I surmised that the most embarrassing parts of the exam to me are hardly even noteworthy to a physician. It’s time for another physical, and now I want to request records from it once it is complete.

It seems that errors and omissions in medical records are common and "normal". It bothers me that this careless attitude probably extends to the diagnostic and treatment phase of the profession.

I wonder if there is any opportunity to include this in role play exams... “I see your other doctor indicated x... we’ll take a closer look at your genitalia today...”

I remember the first time I saw a urologist was right when I turned 17 because I had a varicocele. I remember when he examined me he asked me if I shaved my pubes which I told him I did.

last year I got my records after I saw him again and I noticed that in my record for that first visit he noted that I had “good grooming”. Which I’m assuming was his way of documenting that I was hairless downstairs.

I wish I had my pediatric records but when I called to get them they had already been destroyed since it had been over a decade since I’d been there (last visit age 12). Too bad everything wasn’t electronic back then.

I am not a doctor, but worked as a health care assistant, now as an activity lady both with elderly. We have to write down what, how, where and why we do things.

E.g. "giving a shower would state, gave shower to Mr X, he was able to wash torso, arms and face with verbal guidance, his balance was not good this morning so I assisted him with washing legs, rear genitals and feet.

Mr X dried his own face but required assistance with drying rest.

Mr X was given choice between 2 outfits and was able to choose one. Help given whilst dressing, dental care given, shaved with electric razor.

Mr X was compliant and we chatted about the weather and what was in the headlines this morning. "

All records are legal document and may be read out in a court case should there ever be need to so wording needs to be factual only.

Hippa protects the patient from medical info given out. But, there are some drs that give you copies of hospital records if you have been in recently.being a real patient in the hospital is no joke. We are better off fantazing about procedudures and exams even in person. But caution, be very careful what you do if not medicall trained. I agree with the charting and how it’s recorded I was a unit clerk before I was a nurse and other things so I was familiar with charts. But the problem is most people don’t know medical terminology which is very important when deciding what to do with your partner.

On the point of the original poster - whether or not details about your wife getting a rectal exam, or whatever, as part of a routine physical or gyn exam is going to be based on how meticulous the doctor maintains their notes. That said it's most likely that specifc details of a procedure will be documented more closely - for instance a tubal ligation would include a reference that a weighted speculum was placed in the vagina, that xxx number of sutures were used , that xxx number of gauze packs were inserted and removed etc.

As far as Hipaa - in the US you have a legal right to all of your medical records, you owe them no explanation as to why you are asking, and it's pretty straight forward. The only exceptions might be records if you are participating in a clinical trial while that trail is underway…or psychotherapist notes….though that only applies to the therapists personal notes to themselves, not notes specific to a patient's medical record. Denial to provide records must be made in writing and note the basis in plain language for the denial which is then subject to review.

Bottom line is that your records are easily obtained but whether or not they contain anything “exciting” is a roll of the dice

We requested all records for two surgeries including all pre-surgical exams, tests, imagery etc. and post surgical follow-ups. We got two three inch binders plus several CD's of imagery. Most of it was - as @doc4u72 - not very exciting but we did find a few nuggets of information we were looking for. Very tedious!!

I love reading the Chart Notes of my wife’s exams. I have them back to when she was 15.

they are very cool. I would have to get them out for the exact wording, but her doctor talked about her late development, and described her appearance.

She once had a lump in her breast and he drew a pic of the location on his chart and described where and how he felt it.

One back specialist called her “new age” because she did not want another xray. She had already had like six.

Her family doctor always described how she was dressed and if she seemed alert.

One back doctor wrote to her family doc, who made the referral, and he said, “Thank you for sending this lean young woman for me to examine.” I’m sure that was innocent, but sure sounds lascivious to me. But that’s me

Another doctor wrote something like, ‘...an attractive young woman with normal development,’ but thats not the exact wording

I will dig out the charts and reread them today.

It is so hot to read them and know that her doctor had enjoyed a view of her developing breasts.

Now I always get copies after an exam.

I read charts all day long for work. It's not a turn on for me as I'm looking at them very analytically, and to be honest some of the operative reports make me queasy.

I had a job which at time required me to read medical reports mostly of physicals and injuries. I often saw the person whose reports I was reading so I knew how attractive they were. it was a big turn on reading about their physical exams. The job encompassed all ages and both sexes.