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Sharing Information With Your Healthcare Provider


We have all had the experience of sitting in the waiting room of a doctor’s office with a clipboard or tablet loaded with forms ready to be filled out. You may wonder why as you have already filled out similar forms at your other healthcare providers, and maybe even at this office.

Experts say it is good to remember there are several reasons why you are being asked for your medical history again. To start with, your health may have changed. Additionally, not all doctor offices have access to the same digital information; or it may not have been updated. Also, a specialist may be looking for different information not typically collected by your primary care physician. Remember your refusal to answer questions could make it harder for your doctor to see the full picture of your problem; or at the very least make you look uncooperative. Dr. Robert Shmerling, a rheumatologist and senior faculty editor at Harvard Health Publishing, agrees you are not obligated to fill out your medical history but says the response from the practice might be, "How can we provide the best care if you don't provide the information?”

So what is the most important information to include? The Harvard Health Publishing article highlights the most useful things to share with your healthcare provider:
  • chronic or new symptoms and conditions
  • past surgeries
  • family medical history
  • insurance information
  • current prescription and over-the counter medicines, supplements, vitamins, and any herbal remedies or complementary medicines you use
  • medication allergies
  • vaccination history
  • any screening tests you've had, so they won't be prescribed unnecessarily
  • any metal implants you have, which could affect screenings.
If you are worried about giving out so much personal information, remember the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law, protects your health information with very strict rules about who can access it and how it can be shared.

At MorningStar at River Oaks, we provide senior living in Houston that allows residents to safely and comfortably age in place. Our community has 85 stylish assisted living suites in a choice of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has suites devoted to the specialized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please contact us or visit our website to schedule a tour.

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us for more information about the finest senior living Houston offers.

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