Step 2 Keep Track of Your Medical History and Current Medications
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY AND MEDICATIONS
Medical History
Has a doctor ever asked you, “When was your last colonoscopy?” or “When did your symptoms start?” or any other question about your past health that you can’t answer because you didn’t write it down?
Why keep a medical history? Just as a resumé helps an employer understand your suitability for a job, a personal medical history helps a clinician understand the whole picture of you as a patient. That’s especially true when you’re seeing a healthcare provider for the first time, or when you see multiple providers.
Not only does this history help the healthcare providers, it gives you a truer picture of your own long-term health.
Medications List
Most medical practices will ask for a copy of this list when you sign on as a new patient. It’s a good idea to keep an up-to-date list handy (maybe on the refrigerator door) for emergencies.
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY AND MEDICATIONS
Helpful Links for Keeping Records
- My Personal Medical Diary (Pulse)
My Medical Diary (Spanish) (Pulse) - Steps to Building Your Personal Medical Record
- ICE (In Case of Emergency) Set-Up Instructions for Your Cellphone
- How to Show Emergency Medical Information on Your Phone
- Helping Patients Keep an Up-To-Date Medication List
- Avoiding Overmedication & Harmful Drug Reactions (AGS)
- Facts: Adverse Drug Effects
- Article: # Important Reasons to Share Your List of Medications
Fast Facts Topics (oneisanumber.org)