[bimbo]

If you can't trust your health professional with your records, can you really trust him with your life?

I trust my physician with my health records … I do NOT trust those who could acquire those records without needing them– any HMO, NIH, CDC, Credit Agencies, Insurance Companies, Social Security Agency, Dept of Justice, Grad Student Writing a Thesis, etc. Once the records are beyond the physician-patient relationship, there is no privacy!

[Dave S]

Once the records are beyond the physician-patient relationship, there is no privacy!

Well Bimbo, then welcome to the Brave New World of 1984 because your records have already traveled far beyond your physician. You have no privacy unless you pay cash.

[swheats]

I trust my physician with my health records … I do NOT trust those who could acquire those records without needing them– any HMO, NIH, CDC, Credit Agencies, Insurance Companies, Social Security Agency, Dept of Justice, Grad Student Writing a Thesis, etc. Once the records are beyond the physician-patient relationship, there is no privacy!

I stand by my statement. And a simple solution would be to have in your records on file that no other party should have your information if it is not medically necessary, insurance and physician. Other than that the patient having easy access to logs that show listings of all inquirers to medical records for any given time period; and recourse if privacy has been breached. The alternative would be to not seek any medical attention because of fear of who could access your records.