Who does the patient's medical record belong to?

The patient's medical record is fundamentally considered to belong to the patient. This distinction recognizes that the medical record contains personal health information that is a direct reflection of the individual's health history, treatments, and interactions with healthcare providers. The patient has the right to access this information, control who may view it, and request amendments to it when necessary.

While healthcare facilities maintain the hard copies or electronic systems that house these records, this does not equate to ownership. The records are maintained as part of the facility's obligation to deliver care and manage health information, but ultimately, the content pertains specifically to the individual patient. Additionally, physicians have a responsibility to manage the records they generate in the course of treatment, but they, too, do not own the information contained within it. Similarly, insurance companies may require access to medical records for claims processing and underwriting purposes, but they do not own the records.

This understanding is critical in acknowledging patient rights regarding their own health information and ensures adherence to legal and ethical standards concerning privacy and consent.