G.P. wants health identity cards

Press, 8 March 1984, Page 12

G.P. wants health identity cards

PA Dunedin Doctors could improve the accuracy of their medical records if patients were issued with health identity cards, according to a Christchurch general practitioner. Writing in the “New Zealand Family Physician” magazine, Dr L. •W. Skiba says that since June, 1982, patients in his practice over the age of 16 have received a copy of their medical records on a health identity card.

The basic personal data are checked by the patient and practice nurse for accuracy, and the medical information is filled in by the doctor. Patients are asked to return the card with each visit for updating. The card includes such details as blood pressure, blood grouping, next-of-kin and family doctor name, address, home and work telephone numbers, and a photograph. Dr Skiba notes that sensitive problems such as abortion, psychiatric illnes, and venereal disease are difficult to include on the cards. Some cards have been lost and confidentiality can be a problem he said. But there are many in-

stances when records retained by the patient can help in transferring information to other doctors involved with the patient’s care. It can also help patients become more aware of their state of health.

“There has been a great deal of secrecy regarding patient records, both in hospital and in general practice,” Dr Skiba said. “Much of the information in a patient’s record is regarded as too sensitive or potentially upsetting to the patient to allow him free access.

“Studies have shown that 50 per cent of patients discharged from hospital do not understand what problems they were treated for, and less than 30 per cent of patients could name the drugs they were taking,” Dr Skiba says. Many instances occur, whereby patients’ retaining a copy of their medical records would be helpful to

doctors. Most doctors do not take records on home visits, making it easy to over-look relevant past problems and access to medical records after hours can be difficult.

Long delays can happen in transferring medical records from one doctor to another, and many patients cannot provide detailed information of their past health, Dr Skiba says. Many patients are receiving care from several specialists, and making all the doctors aware of treatment received by other doctors involved in the patient’s care is important.

Patients travelling away from home can find difficulties when receiving medical attention from a doctor unfamiliar with their medical problems, and a duplication of past investigations may arise.

Many patients find it difficult to understand medical jargon which is often used when telling the patients about their medical condition and treatment, Dr Skiba says. In the future, it may be desirable to have centralised computer-held records for all patients similar to the Medic Alert system, but the use of the health identity cards would be a useful alternative until this time, Dr Skiba says.