Slàinte

By Sharla Gayle Patterson, MD, MBA

The 21st Century Cures Act was singed into law on December 13, 2016 with the goal of sharing medical information to enhance the delivery of medical care.  From this act, electronic medical records were adopted and almost universally available.  Electronic medical records are here to stay and with them comes the ability to access and read our own charts.  Federal law mandates the release of your results and notes which leads to more proactive management of health conditions and staying informed.  However, reading medical reports can be confusing and difficult to understand.

The purpose of medical notes is for your health care team to communicate with each other.  The language used is not directed for patients.  The words used are usually not the same words your doctor would use to talk to you directly.  Keep this in mind as some comments may seem personal but they are used to communicate succinctly and in a straightforward fashion with your medical team.

Having the reminder from your portal pop up in your email or text message is not meant to be a notification that your doctor requires that you read this note or result.  It is ok to not read these notes.  Your doctor will communicate with you any pertinent facts.

The language of medicine is one that medical professionals learn in their training.  The words are long with multiple syllables.  Trying to decipher the entire report using an internet search is not a good idea.  Taking the terms out of context can lead to undue anxiety and stress.

Sometimes lab and xray results are released to you before your doctor has a chance to review them.  While you may have had time to read the results and search all treatment options, do not call your doctor expecting that they have had the same time to read the results.  You should schedule an appointment (either in person or on the telephone) with your doctor to review the results.  Do not attempt to interpret the details of the reports without talking to your doctor.

This will help you decide whether to open the result.  If the answer might be life changing (such as a cancer diagnosis), it might be advisable to wait to read the results until you can discuss with your doctor.  It also might be helpful to read the results with a family member or trusted close friend in case you need emotional support.

Slàinte means good health in Irish Gaelic.  This word often preceeds a toast in Ireland but is increasingly used as a greeting for wishing someone good health.  In March, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day to honor the death date of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick.  He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland and used the three leafed green clover to illustrate the Holy Trinity.  As we enjoy the festivities and watching our rivers dyed green, let’s take time to celebrate good health.

Slàinte

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