Idea: Summary Report of Services Rendered
Posted By: Adam flath 
Date Posted: June 10th, 2010 Category: Cost & Quality
Idea: After every visit, EVERY patient gets a Summary Report of what the Doctor just did for them, recommendations, next appointment, etc. It is unfair and in my opinion unethical to not provide your patients with a detailed summary of what services were rendered on my body. It should not have to be requested, it should be given.
-When I get my oil changed at the mechanic, they give me a nice summary of everything that was done as well as other items I should keep a watch out for.
Comment By: Jason Campbell
Date & Time: June 10, 2010 at 8:40 pm
I'm not sure that I agree it's unethical, but I do think it's a good idea. Many people leave a medical visit with little understanding of their examination, condition, or prescriptions. I think a summary in layman's terms would encourage many patients to take a more active role in their own health care simply because they would have a better understanding.
Comment By: Craig Stevens
Date & Time: June 10, 2010 at 9:25 pm
I think this is a great idea and probably would help in many different ways.
Comment By: Mary Frances Stoecklin
Date & Time: June 15, 2010 at 6:17 pm
SSM Saint Mary's in Saint Louis, MO recently started giving patients a "synopsis of care" when you leave the doctor's office. It's GREAT!
Comment By: Teresa Crabtree
Date & Time: June 17, 2010 at 11:16 am
Your comment is very timely and raises concerns that we share. BJC is very committed to making information accessible to patients and to encouraging dialogue between patients and healthcare providers. Earlier this year BJC launched myBJC, a secure and confidential website that allows patients to see the physician’s view of BJC laboratory and radiology results. To help reinforce the importance of the doctor/patient relationship, myBJC also enables patients to securely e-mail their provider’s office to ask questions.
The benefit derived from myBJC is twofold, giving patients (as you suggested) direct access to their health information and providing doctors with the opportunity to interact with better informed and more engaged patients.
Our plans are to continue expanding the health information available through myBJC and your idea of including a summary report is exactly the type of feedback we value. Making information readily available to our patients is one step toward reaching our goal of encouraging individuals to become active participants in their health.
While myBJC is an important component, it alone does not fully address some of the points you made. In the short term, please know that you can always request your medical record or copies of any summaries your healthcare provider maintains. And please know that continuing to make information readily accessible to patients is an area of focus for BJC. Your feedback along the way is much appreciated.