Keeping medical information up to date

Filling out new forms every time you see a doctor is annoying, and it gets worse if you have to see more than one. For now, a blog post at Be a Prepared Patient says, the burden of keeping that medical information falls on patients.

Can’t they just share that information with each other? Maybe one day, but for now, getting your medical information to multiple doctors is often up to you, the patient. Many people learn when they have several doctors that the burden of sharing up-to-date care information really falls on patients and caregivers. Most health care is provided by separate, independent practices without efficient methods to communicate with other providers.

The post gives advice on:

• What you need for most appointments.
• How to keep your own records updated, including digital storage options.
• Ways to get your medical records.

What ways would you suggest to streamline this process?