Tips for Organizing a Medical History

We’re in the Emergency Room. The nurse informs us that because of their computer conversion two years ago, they no longer have my husband’s medical history. Well, I guess it’s nice to know we haven’t been in the ER in at least two years. There for a while, we visited so often, Dr. Epstein and the nurses recognized us when we showed up. Since it has been a few years, they probably won’t recognize us today. But here comes Dr. Epstein, and sure enough, he has a friendly grin when he sees us. He abracadabras the keyboard with his fingertips to unearth my hubby’s history from the archives. But it doesn’t go back far enough to answer a few questions.  

Oh, how I wish I had had the foresight to organize a medical history for my husband twenty years ago and for my mother these last ten or so years. Accompanying the two of them, I find myself in hospitals and doctors’ offices a lot. I take notes, which I file in some black hole somewhere despite better intentions.

My husband’s and mother’s medical histories in a compact notebook or even a spreadsheet I could fold and stash in my purse would help us answer questions and help the doctors see patterns. My own health issues, though not as life-threatening as theirs, are all in a jumble in my brain. What did that allergist diagnose? When? How many times have I talked with my doctor about shortness of breath? Were they all during the summer allergy season? Certainly some doctors have tested for asthma? Haven’t they? I have NO IDEA.

“Tips for Organizing a Medical History” tells what to include and how to organize a medical history. This practical article from Kathy Porter for Caregiver.com is very helpful, and I intend to use it as a guideline when I do this. So far, my fumbling around in my memory to answer doctors’ questions has not had dire results. Plus, my husband and mom have both been lucid and able to help. But as their health care power of attorney, I need to take this seriously. I recommend Kathy Porter’s “Tips for Organizing a Medical History.”