Thursday, September 30, 2010

Personal Medical Journal Template

Keeping your own medical records is a good idea. A list of all doctors' visits - including dentists and eye doctors is very handy when you need to see dates of immunizations, tests, illnesses, conditions, and surgeries. If you move and have to find a new physician, you easily could provide photocopies of your medical history.  It would be especially handy if you are caring for children or an elderly parent.

We created a template to follow -- one that you could easily photocopy or print and use to record your family's visits to health professionals. Your physicians may use it to see health patterns or make critical diagnoses. Keep pages organized by family member in a loose leaf notebook.

If you need a microwave heating pad for an elderly parent or friend who is ill and feeling cold, check out Maine Warmers. Their microwave heating pads come in a variety of shapes and sizes -- including neck warmers, large back warmers, and cozy sheep among other comforting creatures.

Cut and paste this template into a Word document, save it, and print it when you need to make copies.

Journal of Medical Appointments

Patient Name: __________________________________________________________________________
Date: ____________________
Medical Professional and Type: _____________________________________________________________
Location: _______________________________________________________________________________
Reason for visit: _________________________________________________________________________
Symptoms: _____________________________________________________________________________

Questions: _____________________________________________________________________________
 _______________________________________________________________________________________
Diagnosis: ______________________________________________________________________________
  
Recommendations: ______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________ 
Prescribed Medications: __________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Tests and Immunizations: ________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Reason for and dates of tests: ________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Test results and dates: _____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Referrals and follow-up appointments: ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Blood pressure: __________________     Height: _________________         Weight: _________________