The results always seems to come from a middleman doctor who I never see, like an imaging doctor.
I want to actually see the pictures...after all, it is my body. Is there a legal right to see the pictures?
Thankx
2006-08-13 10:50:15 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Ive been able to get a copy of the paper diagnosis...but will they actually give you an MRI picture? How would they do that?
Maybe its not possible...I dunno
2006-08-13 10:55:53 · update #1
I will try asking more directly next time...last time I asked for my X-rays, they gave me the doctors diagnosis...Im not really interested in that...I want to see the pictures
2006-08-13 11:29:35 · update #2
appreciate the docs response below...however this is why I want to know...Im having some kind of liver/gallbladder blockage..I can feel..it hardens, and I start itching and tasting metal!
The radiologist says Im "constipated" (I acutally never saw him..he was in a back room)...this is nonsense. I want to look at the picture and compare it to where I am having pain, to see what to hell it is!
Doctors are obviously not infallible, I want to see what organ is hurting, if I can and point it out to them on the chart. This process is not working
2006-08-13 12:47:16 · update #3
Yes - you have the right to see these pictures. Demand, nicely, that the physician explain them to you while they're still up on the light box.
The mystery doctor you're seeing is the radiologist. He's the guy who actually reads and interprets the films. That's the guy you want - even if you have to sit in the hallway for an hour. Just say: "Thank you, I'll wait." with a smile. They'll be so sick of looking at you that they'll bring him out to you eventually.
2006-08-13 10:59:12 · answer #1 · answered by 34th B.G. - USAAF 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you could probably get them from the hospital if you are persistent. I'm not sure if you have a legal right to see them or not. It depends where you are. To my knowledge in the UK you don't. I'm sure the doctors would be happy to show you the actual scans if you ask though.
I'm honestly not sure how useful it would be to you though. It's pretty specialist stuff. Interpreting both X-rays and MRIs require a lot of specialist knowledge, which is why other doctors don't examine anything but the most basic images. In the UK radiologists (X-ray doctors) have to train for 5 years after their basic medical training of 3 years post qualification (i.e. a minimum of 8 years).
2006-08-13 12:19:16 · answer #2 · answered by the last ninja 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You do have a right to have a copy of your medical record, including Xrays and MRI pictures, though they can charge for these. Around here, the MRI places give you a copy of the pictures when you walk out the door; they keep a digital copy for the reading radiologist. I have had to pay for a copy of an X-ray, though.
Under the new health laws, you also have the right to see what your doctor writes in the chart (in his/her presence) and ask for amendment to the chart, if you feel it is warrented.
2006-08-13 14:06:44 · answer #3 · answered by Joey 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to, in fact I'm surprised you didn't see them when your doctor discussed your diagnosis. My experience has always been that the x-rays are visible to me, but as I cannot read them I have never been interested.
I've accompanied other people too, and the doctors have shown the x-rays and scans and discussed them.
I remember a friend showing me his brain scans. He had a tumour right at the centre of his brain.
Sometimes you have to ask for things or information. Why don't you do this? I don't think you need to get heavy and talk about legal rights.
2006-08-13 11:07:18 · answer #4 · answered by hi_patia 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whoever took the images is the legal owner and in most states is required to keep them for some period of time. As the patient, however, you have the right to access the *information* contained in the images; this means you can see them and even obtain copies if you want. Your Dr. has no legal or ethical basis for refusing such requests, but some of them will give you a very hard time about it.
2006-08-13 14:39:30 · answer #5 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've got copies of some recent MRI and X-ray results. Have you tried asking? I needed mine for Social Security Disability reasons so I was always going to the clinic and signing for my records. Eventually I switched all my medical care to the VA and made some copies of some pctures at that time. Anyway, yes, they are yours. You usually have to contact the release of information office and request what you want.
2006-08-13 11:24:46 · answer #6 · answered by Gregg J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, legally the records belong to you, you have every right to look at them, and even take them home.
Some doctor's offices will try to say you can't do that, but they're lying. They don't like patient records leaving their office because they are always afraid of lawsuits.
But they have NO legal right to withhold those records from you, all they can do is charge you a small fee to make the necessary copies.
2006-08-13 10:54:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The rub is that if they allow the originals out of their possession, they're exposing themselves to potential liability if they ever rely on them again for a diagnosis. Your doctor does, however, have a right and an obligation to keep a complete medical record of your treatment in the event he/she is ever sued. So your right to your records is qualified by the doctor's need to comply with record keeping statutes.
2006-08-13 11:02:09 · answer #8 · answered by Pepper 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The original records and film are the doctors' or hospitals' property. The information is yours legally. So all you have to do is ask for a copy of the film not the report.
Maria
2006-08-13 11:41:50 · answer #9 · answered by Maria 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes,you have the right to see your own x-rays.Your Doctor should have a copy of all your pictures,scans,records at his office in his files.
2006-08-13 10:58:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋