Which action is required of a physician when a patient requests their medical records?

When a patient requests their medical records, the physician is generally required to provide a copy of the medical records. This right is rooted in the principle of patient autonomy and the importance of allowing patients to access their own health information. It ensures transparency and enables patients to be active participants in their healthcare decisions.

Health Information Privacy regulations, such as those found in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), establish guidelines that require healthcare providers to grant patients access to their records within a certain timeframe. This provision supports the notion that patients should have the ability to review their past treatments, seek second opinions, or manage their health more effectively.

It is important to note that while a physician may charge a reasonable fee for the copying of records, the request cannot be denied on the grounds of payment alone. Additionally, the completeness of records does not negate the right of the patient to access what is available; thus, the physician cannot refuse a request simply due to records being incomplete. Finally, the decision to provide access to records should not hinge on the physician's agreement with the request, as this can impede a patient's rights and is not in line with established practices regarding patient access to medical information.