In the clinic, who may view a patient’s health record for treatment purposes?

• A. The doctor, clerical staff, and myself are able to view your health record.
• B. Only the doctor has access to your record.
• C. Any of the staff working in the clinic may see your health record.
• D. You may keep your record if you are concerned about confidentiality.

Answer: (A)

Access to a patient’s health record is guided by need to know and confidentiality. The information in the chart is shared with the people who are directly involved in providing or coordinating your care so they can plan, monitor, and support treatment. That includes the doctor and other members of the health-care team who are involved in your care. Clerical staff may access the record too, but only to the extent needed to support treatment—things like scheduling, referrals, or contacting you—and they must follow strict privacy and security rules. You don’t get to “keep” the record yourself in the sense of withholding it from those who need it; you do have rights to access and request amendments under privacy laws, and you can ask about who has viewed your record.