Transferring records when patients change family doctors

While previous records of a new patient can be of great benefit, the process of record transfer often leads to frustration for both the receiving and sending physician. This report describes a survey of the current record-transfer practices of 475 randomly selected Ontario family physicians who responded to a questionnaire. This represented an overall response rate of 84%. Only 36.5% of respondents always or frequently found the transferred information useful. Only 51.5% of physicians regularly obtain past records for their patients. Respondents showed a preference for consultation letters and hospital-discharge summaries. Most of the respondents sent copies of consultation letters written by other physicians, even though the CMA policy on record transfer recommends against this practice. Data on office visits was seldom perceived as useful information. A written summary of the patient's history with photocopies of select information was the most popular format for transfer of patient information. Unfortunately, it is also the most time-consuming and expensive method. Approximately 62.1% of respondents thought that a fee should be charged for transfer of patient information; 42.1% thought the patient's medical care plan should pay; while 41.5% thought that the patient should be responsible. Guidelines for information transfer are suggested.