A simple way to keep organized is a three-ring binder. Use dividers to group documents by type, like medical bills, treatment reports, and medicines. Or you could organize them by treatment phase, like diagnosis and treatment.
How do I organize my cancer Records?
To help figure out what works best for you, talk to other cancer survivors about what they have done, or visit a local office supply store to see what sort of organizers are available. Here are a few options: Organize your records by date or by categories, such as treatments, tests, doctor appointment, etc.
How do you organize your medical records this October?
Since October is Organizing Your Medical Records Month, here are a few tips for you to organize your medical papers and other health-related information. Make a list. Type a list of your medications and dosages so you have it with you during doctor visits and tests.
What should be included in a personal medical record for cancer?
A complete personal medical record should include the following information: Your diagnosis, including the specific cancer type and stage. Date you were diagnosed. Copies of diagnostic test results and pathology reports. Complete treatment information, such as chemotherapy drug names and doses, sites and doses of radiation therapy.
What should I ask for in my cancer treatment categories?
Below, find suggested lists of information that can fit into your cancer treatment categories and keep you organized: Lab work and test results (ask for copies). Updated list of medications (prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins/supplements).
How do you organize patient information?
Use a filing cabinet, 3-ring binder, or desktop divider with individual folders. Store files on a computer, where you can scan and save documents or type up notes from an appointment. Store records online using an e-health tool; certain online records tools may be accessed, with permission, by doctors or family members.
How do you organize medical documents?
0:2610:30Paper Clutter - How to Organize Medical Records - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLike Dropbox or Google Docs a smartphone with a note-taking app like Evernote and several hangingMoreLike Dropbox or Google Docs a smartphone with a note-taking app like Evernote and several hanging file folders with clear tabs to print your labels. And full adhesive sticky notes to label your piles.
How do you keep a cancer journal?
How to start a cancer journal?Step 1: Select your medium. Most people like to write down their thoughts as it gives them time to think about something before they put it down. ... Step 2: Know the purpose. It's important to understand why you have decided to keep a cancer journal. ... Step 3: Make it a routine.
What do you write in a cancer journal?
Write what's on your mind, not just a list of the day's events. Thoughts about your diagnosis and treatment, your hopes and fears, your goals, an amusing story—it's all fair game. The only truly important thing is that you're writing about what's important to you. You don't have to limit your journal to words on paper.
How do you maintain patient records?
Top 3 Ways to Track and Maintain Patient Records:Integrate Patient Records.Record Medical Prescriptions Electronically.Archive Patients Record on Cloud.
How are hospital medical records organized?
Organize and put your hard copies in a binder. Once you've copied your original medical files, separate them by making a pile for each medical provider. Then, order the records for each provider from your earliest visit to your most recent, in chronological order.
Is journaling good for cancer patients?
Benefits of journaling Journaling can help you sleep better, reduce fatigue and help you adjust psychologically to a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Look for the positive: Journaling can help you identify positive situations or events that have unfolded due to your cancer diagnosis.
How do you write about cancer?
Here are a few tips on penning your thoughts after diagnosis.Start a blog. Try setting up a blog to tell everyone how and what you're doing. ... Write for yourself. If a blog isn't your thing, try keeping a log or journal for yourself about your cancer experience. ... Seek out support.
How do I share my cancer story?
Overall, when you share your cancer experience, be it through online forums and support groups, mentoring other patients with cancer, or even turning it into a form of art or literature, it allows you to tap into your creative resources and transform your experience into a driving force to make something better out of ...
What does it mean when cancer is in submission?
SUBMISSION Cancer will consider for review articles previously available as preprints. Authors are requested to update any pre-publication versions with a link to the final published article. Authors may also post the final published version of the article immediately after publication.
Is there a journal called cancer?
Cancer is a biweekly peer-reviewed scientific journal covering oncology. The journal was established in 1948. It is an official journal of the American Cancer Society and is published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the society. The first editor-in-chief was Fred W.
What are buckets of information?
Buckets of information can include: personal health information, schedules and contact information, insurance and billing information, articles and research, and legal documents.
Do people keep information in paper?
Some people are only comfortable keeping information in paper, notebooks and folders. Others might prefer technology. Powerful devices, such as smart phones, are portable too, which allows us to take them to appointments. Many of us, though, are still apt to use a mix of both electronic and paper.
1. Know your style
Do you tend to hold on to papers after you’ve reconciled them or are you more likely to purge them? There is no right answer, but having a system in place that matches your organizational style will keep you on track, says Eliza Weber, a member of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Patient and Family Advisory Council for Quality.
2. Group like with like
If you have a big pile of papers staring at you, start by categorizing what’s in it. “Put all the things that look alike in one pile, and then go through those,” says Laverne Gibbons, a 23-year MSK veteran who is currently a supervisor in the Patient Billing Services Department.
3. Put it away
Once an item is resolved, file it somewhere you won’t see it every day. Ms. Gibbons advises against throwing out financial documents in case you need to reference them later. But having less clutter on display can help you feel more in control of your surroundings.
4. Go digital
You can check both your medical results and financial information on MSK’s online patient portal, MyMSK. The portal also makes it easy for you to keep tabs on your health. “What’s great about the portal is that I can go in and see a graph of blood work over time,” says Ms. Weber.
5. Ask for help
MSK has a team of experts at the ready to help with any and all financial questions. The Patient Billing Inquiry Line ( 646-227-3378) is staffed by MSK employees Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “People just want to get a person on the other end of the line,” Ms. Gibbons says.
What to include in a cancer planner?
Record the medicine, dates you took it, and dosage. Vitamins and supplements should be included on this list, too. My You Can Cancer Planner includes a printable template for this.
Who created the You Can Cancer Planner?
The You Can Cancer Planner was created by a survivor, for survivors.
Where is the binder stored?
If the binder starts to get full, bulky information can be summarized in a log sheet and then stored in a filing cabinet or scanned and stored digitally.
Can you store lab results?
Test results: here, you can store the results of your labs, scans, and biopsies so that you can easily share the information with new doctors and remain clear and informed yourself about the progress you’re making in treatment.
Can you burn a CD for a CT scan?
When you have imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound, PET Scan, etc.) done, you can ask to have a CD copy burned for your records. These are handy to have when consulting with new doctors or comparing old test results against new ones.
How to organize medical records?
There are different ways to organize your medical records. To help figure out what works best for you, talk to other cancer survivors about what they have done, or visit a local office supply store to see what sort of organizers are available. Here are a few options: 1 Use a filing cabinet, 3-ring binder, or desktop divider with individual folders 2 Store files on a computer, where you can scan and save documents or type up notes from an appointment 3 Store records online using an e-health tool; certain online records tools may be accessed, with permission, by doctors or family members 4 Organize your records by date or by categories, such as treatments, tests, doctor appointment, etc.
What to include in a medical record?
Step 1. What to include. A complete personal medical record should include the following information: Your diagnosis, including the specific cancer type and stage. Date you were diagnosed. Copies of diagnostic test results ...
What is ASCO in cancer?
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) offers cancer treatment plans and summaries that can help keep track of information about your diagnosis and treatment. Compiling this information on an ongoing basis will create a complete and easily accessible view of your health.
What is palliative care?
Information about palliative care, including medications for pain management, nausea, or other side effects. Contact information for the doctors and treatment centers involved in your diagnosis and treatment, as well as others who have cared for you in the past, such as your family doctor.
Where to store medical records?
However you decide to store your personal medical record, be sure to keep them in a secure location, like a safe deposit box, fireproof home safe, or password-protected files. If you decide to use an online service, carefully check the security and confidentiality measures the company uses to protect your information. A family member or friend could also keep a copy in case of emergency.
When to ask for a copy of a medical record?
When you have a diagnostic test or procedure, ask for a copy of the results or report. At each appointment, ask your doctor or nurse for a copy of anything new that’s been added to your file or electronic medical record. If you spent time in the hospital, ask for a copy of your records when you’re discharged.
Can you store medical records online?
Store records online using an e-health tool; certain online records tools may be accessed, with permission, by doctors or family members
Can cancer patients work after work?
Once you’ve developed your treatment strategy, you’ll likely want to focus on getting back to business. Unfortunately, cancer and its treatment can’t be relegated to after-work hours. As a result, you’ll want to try to make the transition from work to treatment as seamless as possible.
Can paperless society have cancer?
Whoever predicted a paperless society never had cancer. The paperwork can be mind-boggling — filing insurance claims, preparing taxes, not to mention keeping track of your own thoughts. It’s all easier if you have solid organizational systems in place — at home and at work.
How to organize medical information?
Some people prefer paper, and choose to use a filing cabinet, a three-ring binder, a file folder, or even just a box. Other people would rather save digital copies of test results and scans on CDs and type notes on the computer, scan their medical records, or use an online service. ...
What is a list of treatments?
A list of the treatments you have received, including drug names and doses, sites and doses of radiation therapy, and details of any surgeries, as well as any complications or side effects you experienced. Details of any other major illnesses, chronic health conditions (such as diabetes or heart disease), or hospitalizations. ...
What to do when you hear about cancer?
On hearing the word “cancer,” you will think of yourself and you will think of your loved ones. You will immediately wonder how your spouse or significant other, children, siblings , and parents will handle the news. For the sake of everyone involved, seek the counsel of professionals on how to communicate effectively with your loved ones about your situation. The people in your life may also need the support of a professional counselor at some point. The more united your loved ones are behind you, the stronger you will be throughout your ordeal with cancer.
What is the ultimate goal of cancer treatment?
The ultimate goal is for you to have your life so organized that you can deal with cancer treatment almost on autopilot. This will also enable you to have time for yourself, which is an essential component of the recovery process. Once you have taken control of your life as a cancer survivor, you will likely never return to taking each day and the gift of life for granted.
How to cope with cancer?
You will need the sturdy support of good friends and loved ones to cope with cancer. Rather than having family and friends give you well-meaning but often overwhelming and distracting advice about what you should and should not do to fight cancer, give them concrete suggestions about how they can show their support. Ask that they help in taking care of household chores, meals, childcare, transportation to and from treatment, and anything else you may need to help make your life flow smoothly during and after the grind of cancer therapy.
