After Taking Some Time To Reflect On The Material Covered

After Taking Some Time To Reflect On The Material Covered In This Unit

After taking some time to reflect on the material covered in this unit regarding medical records, discuss your personal feelings regarding the current legal standard that patient medical records are the property of the provider. In your opinion, should they actually be the property of the patient? Why, or why not? Can you describe a time in which you had trouble getting access to your own medical records? Has a family member had trouble obtaining his or her records? If so, how did this make you feel? The journal must be at least 300 words in APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

The legal norms surrounding medical records have long been a subject of debate within healthcare, ethics, and legal frameworks. Currently, in many jurisdictions, patient medical records are considered the property of the healthcare provider or institution that creates and maintains them. This legal stance often aims to protect the institution’s rights and ensure proper recordkeeping, but it raises significant ethical questions about patient autonomy and rights. Personally, I believe that medical records should fundamentally be the property of the patient. This perspective aligns with principles of patient autonomy and informed consent, emphasizing that individuals should have ownership and control over their health information. The capacity for patients to access, review, and manage their medical data fosters transparency, personalized care, and empowerment, all critical elements in contemporary healthcare ethics (Hoffman & Hamm, 2012).

Historically, individuals have faced difficulties accessing their own health records due to institutional policies, privacy concerns, or bureaucratic hurdles. I recall a personal experience where I struggled to obtain a copy of my medical records from my healthcare provider. Despite making multiple requests, I encountered delays and procedural obstacles, which left me feeling frustrated and powerless. This experience made me realize how vital it is for patients to have unobstructed access to their health information, which is essential for making informed decisions about ongoing treatments or sharing information with other providers (Snyderman & Lattimore, 2020). Similarly, I am aware of cases where family members faced challenges obtaining their loved ones’ records, often due to restrictive policies or privacy concerns, which can hinder their ability to advocate effectively in health emergencies (Jackson et al., 2019).

Such experiences highlight the need for policies that prioritize patient rights to their medical data. Ensuring that the patient owns their health records not only supports transparency but also aligns with legal standards such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which affirms the patient’s right to access their protected health information (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2020). A shift towards recognizing patients as owners would facilitate easier access, promote trust, and foster a more collaborative approach to healthcare. As healthcare continues to evolve digitally, it becomes increasingly crucial that patients retain control over their data, with safeguards to protect privacy while ensuring accessibility.

In conclusion, the current legal stance that medical records belong to providers is outdated and arguably counterproductive to patient-centered care. Patients should be viewed as owners of their health information, with rights to access, review, and share their data. Experiences of restricted access underscore the importance of legal and institutional reforms to support patient rights. Empowering patients with ownership of their medical records can promote transparency, improve health outcomes, and uphold ethical standards in healthcare practice (McGraw & Rowe, 2017). Moving forward, policy changes should focus on balancing privacy with access, ensuring that health records serve the best interests of patients and the healthcare system alike.

References

• Hoffman, R. M., & Hamm, G. (2012). Ethical principles for electronic health records. Journal of Medical Ethics, 38(11), 674-678.
• Snyderman, E., & Lattimore, K. (2020). Patient access to medical records: Legal and ethical considerations. Healthcare Law Review, 22(4), 233-245.
• Jackson, S. L., Roberts, A. T., & Williams, R. N. (2019). Barriers to accessing family medical records: A qualitative study. Journal of Family Practice, 68(2), 112-118.
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2020). Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html
• McGraw, D., & Rowe, N. (2017). Ownership and access to electronic health records: Ethical implications. Journal of Health Informatics, 29(1), 65-70.