Posted by Dr. Bob on March 13, 1999, at 18:13:27
In reply to Re: EMDR, posted by Toby on March 12, 1999, at 12:20:38
> In general, psychiatric records are different from regular medical records and are not released directly to the patient. The reason being that what therapists say about patients can be hurtful to the person... the language that is used in psychiatry is not the same as in everyday language and can be misinterpreted by patients... (although some doctors and therapists will sit down with the patient and let them read the chart so they can be available to answer any questions the patient has).
It's true that in general psychiatric records aren't released to patients. However, patients may have the legal right to have access to them. It probably depends on state law. When patients ask to see their charts, I do think it's a good idea for the psychiatrists to be there.
IMO, psychiatrists should be careful what kind of language they use in charts. Not only for this reason, but also because charts are legal documents.
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:3230
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/3673.html