Cancer &
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Online Medical Records

Online Medical Records

Written by  Facing Cancer Together
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(Langhorne) -- Bank statements, home addresses, and phone numbers are just some pieces of personal information that can be found online these days.

wikipedia-medicalNow, many doctors are adding patients' medical records to that list.

As part of our multimedia, Facing Cancer Together project, witf's Megan Lello spoke with Dr. Marilyn Heine, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, about the type of personal medical information that can be found on the web, and who's able to see it:

What are your thoughts on medical records going online?  Does this make it easier for you as a patient?  Please leave a comment below.

Related story:

cancer-wikipedia

When Ken Bazaar was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he turned to Wikipedia for information on his diagnosis.  He found links and information that brought him up-to-date on the disease and what he was facing, and it ultimately helped him to decide which treatment was right for him.

Wikipedia is a free, web-based, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia project that is funded by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. It contains 20 million articles that have been written collaboratively by volunteers around the world.

Doctors see many patients like Ken who are turning to Wikipedia for knowledge.  But, “Is Wikipedia a good source of information?”  Dr. Adam Dicker of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, is a part of the international team of researchers that is trying to answer that very question.  They are currently comparing Wikipedia to the National Cancer Institute’s Physician Data Query website.  Watch this video to learn more.

 

comments  

 
#3 FacingCancer 2012-11-16 11:48
Thanks for your comments Ann and Mary!
 
 
#2 Mary Lou Smelgus 2012-10-20 10:34
My daughter has a complex and rare form of cancer. Whenever we try to discuss this with a new provider it is difficult and would be made easier by having her records easitly available.
 
 
#1 Ann McCoy 2012-10-15 17:36
No, I do not have a problem with my records online, nor do I have a problem with anyone seeing my records.
 

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