Am I entitled to access my medical records?
February 28, 2023 | 60,00 EUR | answered by Thomas Eiserfelder
Dear Medical Law Attorney,
My name is Sebastian Keck and I am seeking legal information regarding my rights as a patient to access my medical records. In the past, I have had interactions with various doctors and specialists, where I underwent various examinations and treatments. Now, I have concerns that not all information has been accurately documented or that important details may be missing.
In the past, I have been told on multiple occasions that I do not have the right to access my medical records and that this is solely reserved for the treating physicians. This information troubles me greatly, as I believe it is important to know and understand my own health data. I am worried that crucial information may be withheld from me or that incorrect treatment decisions could be made if I do not have all relevant information.
Therefore, I am wondering if, as a patient, I actually have the right to access my medical records and potentially receive copies of them. If this is the case, what steps would I need to take to access my records and what rights do I have in terms of correcting inaccurate information or adding missing details?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with more information on this topic so that I can be better informed and understand my rights as a patient.
Sincerely,
Sebastian Keck
Dear Mr. Keck,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the right as a patient to access your medical records. It is understandable that you are concerned that important information may not have been correctly documented or could be missing.
As a patient in Germany, you have the right to access your medical records. This is enshrined in the Patient Rights Act, which, among other things, regulates the right to access one's own patient records. The aim of this law is to strengthen patients' rights and provide them with more transparency and involvement in their health data.
To access your medical records, you should first contact the treating doctor or medical facility where the examinations and treatments were conducted. You have the right to receive a copy of your records, although there may be costs associated with creating the copies. It is important to note that you are not allowed to take your records home in the original form, but can only receive copies.
If you find incorrect information or important details missing in your medical records, you also have the right to have them corrected or supplemented. You can submit a written request to the treating doctor or medical facility and request the correction or supplementation of the records. It is important to specifically identify which information is incorrect or missing and what corrections should be made.
If you encounter difficulties accessing your medical records or making changes to them, you can seek assistance from a medical law attorney who can support you in legal matters. An attorney can help you enforce your rights as a patient and ensure that you have access to your health data.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you and I am at your disposal if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
Thomas Eiserfelder, Medical Law Attorney
