Your integrative health journey may involve multiple team members — an integrative physician, nutritionist, physical therapist, mental health professional and more. You might wonder then, with the advent of electronic medical records (EMR) platforms, is it a given that they all share the same information?
The answer is no. While EMRs have made it easier to store and access your records, there are system limitations. They might not all share the same network in the same organization, for example. There are also important data privacy protocols and security regulations like HIPAA that protect your data from being shared. That and the fact that some healthcare systems and providers may not use EMRs at all make it best to assume that your health information is most likely very siloed.
So how can you avoid leaving out important details when you're communicating with members of your care team? Here are a few ways you can keep them all on the same page.
Bring it all together
A journal or app where you and you alone gather information. Include a health history so you can remember those important medical history dates.
Appoint a coordinator
Designate a lead partner, like your Integrative Practitioner or Primary Care Physician, to oversee your care plan - one who knows about the other members of your care team.
Communicate openly
Make your care team aware of the other therapies or modalities you are employing. It is possible they can work together or at least benefit from the knowledge of them.
Be Proactive
Regularly update your journal and team on observations, progress or changes since your last visit. Review and, if needed, edit your health goals before every appointment.
