How are your medical records accessed when getting a medical license?

[dredredre]

On the application form, it says that you must authorize the release of all medical records to them. If I have medical records from another state, does this state have access to those? Will they be able to find them?

What about medical records from the time of when I was under 18 years old?

P.S. I am a pre-med, but I have psychiatric records from before I was 18 that I don't want to cause problems for me in the future.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[link2swim06]

What state? I have never heard of this and quite frankly sounds like a HIPAA violation.

The only exception is if you have an issue that might interfere with your ability to practice safely (substance, psychotic issues, etc). If this exception applies you are going to need to be completely transparent with the board.

Otherwise, it's pretty ridiculous imo to think they are going to be checking up on your hypertension history.

 

[dredredre]

What state? I have never heard of this and quite frankly sounds like a HIPAA violation.

The only exception is if you have an issue that might interfere with your ability to practice safely (substance, psychotic issues, etc).

State of California. Here is the form that states you must sign off your medical records and all other records. http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Forms/Applicants/application_forms_l1f.pdf

Also, would anxiety and PTSD that have been RESOLVED count as something that might interfere with my ability to practice safely?

 

[link2swim06]

State of California. Here is the form that states you must sign off your medical records and all other records. http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Forms/Applicants/application_forms_l1f.pdf

Also, would anxiety and PTSD that have been RESOLVED count as something that might interfere with my ability to practice safely?

So the way I read that statement is if the medical board wants to investigate for questions of impairment then you need to consent to giving them all those records. Unless they subpoena the records I kinda doubt many people are just going to give them all your records without your direct consent. Granted if you refuse they can take away your license in a split second and may still subpoena the records.

It's kinda like when you get a driver license you consent to a sobriety test/breathalyzer if the situation arises. You can lose your drivers license if you refuse to participate as you had agreed to it when you got the license.

If you have to ask the question if it could interfere then maybe you should talk to your doctor about it. Extreme anxiety absolutely could interfere...(i.e. if you were a heart surgeon and had a repeated panic attacks while doing open heart surgery).

 

[dredredre]

If you have to ask the question if it could interfere then maybe you should talk to your doctor about it. Extreme anxiety absolutely could interfere...(i.e. if you were a heart surgeon and had a repeated panic attacks while doing open heart surgery).

Well, I am going to see my doctor soon and I'm going to ask if it is at all possible to amend my records. My anxiety is no longer severe and is barely even there anymore. That's the same with the PTSD. In fact, I don't even have symptoms of PTSD anymore and have no more triggers. I hope that's enough to erase my records I suppose, since it's not affecting me. I have a cGPA of 4.0 in my junior year in college so obviously nothing has gotten in my way.

Thank you for your response, by the way.

 

[CptNemo]

State of California. Here is the form that states you must sign off your medical records and all other records. http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Forms/Applicants/application_forms_l1f.pdf

Also, would anxiety and PTSD that have been RESOLVED count as something that might interfere with my ability to practice safely?

California's Medical Board is particularly draconian, and during an investigation, they would likely request your medical records. However, this should not happen during a routine application and they will not look at your medical records per routine. In other words, something has to trigger an investigation, such as a positive criminal history on your background check, a leave of absence during medical training, or any prior disciplinary proceedings (and other red flags).

Basically, just look at the application form and see if you would have to answer yes to any of their questions that require further explanation: http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Forms/Applicants/application_us-canada.pdf

They tend to be most uptight about any substance abuse issues and ask questions as to whether you have ever been treated for an addictive disorder or have been in a program. Anecdotally, I have seen people get a probationary license in CA due to a history of a DUI 10 years prior to application despite current prolonged sobriety and no patient care issues. I don't think that they would care about prior treated PTSD/anxiety unless there were coexisting substance abuse issues or it currently would affect your ability practice. The main issue would be if something bad happens during your time of medical practice related to your past issues and there is a patient or staff complaint, then the medical board would do an investigation and would likely get on your case for not revealing pertinent history to them during initial licensing - likely leading to more severe punishments due to additional charges of impaired professionalism and ethics.

Overall, do you think that you would have to truthfully answer "yes" to question 61? - not knowing the severity of your condition and it's current state, I cannot answer that for you.

Remember, the above is just an anecdotal account from a guy on a forum who has no official legal training and has no desire to ever practice law. If you have concerns about how to answer some of these questions or are unsure, contact a license law firm.

 

[Raryn]

Well, I am going to see my doctor soon and I'm going to ask if it is at all possible to amend my records. My anxiety is no longer severe and is barely even there anymore. That's the same with the PTSD. In fact, I don't even have symptoms of PTSD anymore and have no more triggers. I hope that's enough to erase my records I suppose, since it's not affecting me. I have a cGPA of 4.0 in my junior year in college so obviously nothing has gotten in my way.

Thank you for your response, by the way.

Medical records cannot be erased. Period. Full stop. No way, no how. It's a legal thing.

They can remove the diagnoses from your active problem list, but the old notes will always be there. Now, if the old notes are on paper, they'll eventually be stored in some cabinet somewhere and no one will be looking at them, but even still.

That said, you giving the board permission to access your medical records does not necessarily mean they will actually look at them. They'll ask you if you have any medical conditions that may interfere with the practice of medicine, and you'll answer honestly. If they need further information, they may request substantiation from medical records. Then, don't expect it to come up again unless you have some kind of issue with the board in which case they may want to review records at that time.

 

[dredredre]

That said, you giving the board permission to access your medical records does not necessarily mean they will actually look at them. They'll ask you if you have any medical conditions that may interfere with the practice of medicine, and you'll answer honestly.

On the Illinois one, they ask if you "had" or currently "have" a medical condition that may interfere. I definitely would fall under "had," but is it really something that may interfere if it's been completely resolved? For example, would I say yes to that question because it was something I had in the past, or no because it is something in the past that will NOT interfere?

 

[michaelrack]

What state? I have never heard of this and quite frankly sounds like a HIPAA violation.
.

I doubt it is a HIPAA violation if you sign a form authorizing access to your records

 

[Mass Effect]

On the application form, it says that you must authorize the release of all medical records to them. If I have medical records from another state, does this state have access to those? Will they be able to find them?

What about medical records from the time of when I was under 18 years old?
P.S. I am a pre-med, but I have psychiatric records from before I was 18 that I don't want to cause problems for me in the future.

No one is going to get your records unless something happens that can be linked to your health. You'll be fine.

I doubt it is a HIPAA violation if you sign a form authorizing access to your records

Not a HIPAA violation, but requiring people to authorize release medical records prior to licensing is certainly on the boundaries of legally acceptable practice.