Advice on Health Summery...PLEASE!

[Farmwife]

Ok, I've been asked an impossible task.
The Mayo has asked for me to fax them a health summery ASAP for Grace.

Hers is more like a novel.

Advice on how you would do this
and make it as easy to read
and look professional would be a BIG help. :hug:

Thanks

 

[DanceMom]

I just had to do this for A's initial consults and second opinion (her GI requested it). Mine was something like a mini-novel, lol, 4 pages worth. I basically started from birth and discussed her symptoms, tests/results, and treatments. I wrote it as if I were writing a letter. I think it needs to be easy to read and follow, but I don't think they expect it to be "professional".

 

[Mehita]

I did a brief summary for our new GI. Started with pre-dx symptoms and issues, dx details, and then from there did a month to month summary of activity, skipping quiet months. I didn't give details like CRP was 20, but just said CRP was elevated, that kind of thing.

 

[Tesscorm]

Okay, I'm probably overkill with info... :lol:

But, I would break it down into three 'summaries':

1. prediagnosis
a. age
b. symptoms, how long they lasted
c. tests - like Mehita said, you can just say 'elevated' or 'low', especially if you can attach copies of results
d. treatments

2. at diagnosis -
a. age
b. test results that led to diagnosis
c. treatments - which had any effect.

3. since diagnosis
a. ongoing tests
b. change in treatments - what's worked or didn't, what's changed or what hasn't changed.

Even if it is a 'novel', if it's broken down into sections that make sense and are easy to refer to, I think it's okay if there's a bit 'extra' information??? Just my opinion...

 

[kimmidwife]

I second Tess's advice. Also I would include a little summary at the end. The dr at Tess suggests is good too. Keep it with specific points rather than writing like a story.

 

[DustyKat]

I'm not sure how the system works in the US but here the GP is the centre of health management. They do all the referrals and all correspondence goes back to them, but even that aside a good place to start would be the GP and ask them to print out a health summary. The electronic records program they use will generate one that will include the dates of all diagnoses, current medications, test results and anything else the doc chooses to include. You can then expand and add on this as you wish.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Farmwife]

Dusty I called and the don't have a program like that....yet. BUMMER!

I did Tess's outline It's been faxed! Now I wait for the itinerary. Wow this might actually happen.

 

[dannysmom]

I had this challenge for Danny ... this is what I did:

- 1 page summary (very hard to condense but I want to make sure they get a good overview before they stop reading) - tailored to the target doctor or school official - that covered date of birth, brief medical history before symptoms, type of current symptoms, overview of doctors, diagnosis, positive tests and key treatments tried, current status.

- Table of all treatments tried, date/duration, and results

- Page of all doctors consulted, their specialty & phone

- Month by Month tabular diary with columns for month/year, main symptoms (constant, frequent, occasional), and treatments/doctor visits/test results

- I also created a timeline (with symptoms, tests, treatments) ... but this was very hard to do ... one doctor requested it ... but I think it made me look like a lunatic.

I'd be happy to email to you if interested.
Good luck. (I absolutely hate working on the summary - find it SO depressing)

 

[Farmwife]

Jeanne your awesome!

Thank God I faxed mine because I would have done yours and taken me days to do it.
I think you and Tess are related!

Again your awesome!:hug:

 

[Farmwife]

Oh, talk to the Mayo Clinic and she said the summery was in the doctor's hand shortly after it was faxed.:eek2:
Now he is going to set up all the appointments and get back with me the first part of next week.

Wow, we might actually be going.