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I think these things would be difficult to interpret for someone who hasn't studied the technique. That being said, I would find it doubtful that they would be withheld from a patient that asked to see them.
They are required to show it to you, if you ask to see it. You have a right to all of your medical records. Personally though, I'd rather not have to see every detail, unless I ask for it, or unless the doctor has a specific need to show it to me.
ditto the above. To many people, it would all be meaningless. But you can ask to see it and they will show you. I like to see my stuff, and in my experience the doctors are happy to show me what's what. Many hospitals now have websites where you can access all your medical information from home, and a some have even have teamed up with Google so you can access your records through a Gmail account!
Should it be mandatory that you be shown x-rays, MRI's, blood tests, CAT scans, etc. prior to all surgery?
Why don't you elaborate? I would expect a health care provider to share the results of any tests which were a cause for concern, outside of the range of 'normal'.
And even if he showed them to you, what good would that do if you aren't qualified to interpret them? I mean - okay so you have this CAT scan. And the doctor says it indicates that you need surgery, because you have a doohickie in the 45-s.92 range, which clearly means that something is wrong with the hoosiewhatsis and if you don't do exploratory you could die of a thingamabob within 72 hours.
So you say "okay doc, let's see this notorious CAT scan." And he whips out the results and points to the middle of this series of lines and numbers, saying, "SEE? It's all right there!"
And you stare at it for awhile, and then, you nod sagely to the doctor and respond, "Ya know - you're absolutely right. Let's schedule it for next tuesday after your morning golf game."
In short, unless you are a doctor or medical technician, seeing the results of most of these things isn't gonna mean all that much to you.
It's MY body and I want to see test results. For anything that needs further interpretation, the good doctor can take a moment and explain it to me.
Seriously, a lot of it isn't all that difficult to understand. Most blood tests will have normal ranges on it. X-rays and CT scans, you look for what looks different, although you may need some further information concerning them.
Anything you don't understand, you can always google, or look up on umpteen medical websites.
Should it be mandatory that you be shown x-rays, MRI's, blood tests, CAT scans, etc. prior to all surgery?
Yes if a patient asks. I have had to stare at my x-rays since I was 15 because of a bone cyst, I can read my own now. There have been times I have had to go over the x-rays with medical students or doctors who are not familiar with my case and explain what has happened in the past. Or more then one occasion, medical professionals who have never seen a case like mine in real life.
I want to know what is going on with my body. I should have that right. When I was in high school, when the cyst first occurred, my doctor's office had a nurse who tried her best to keep the details of my treatment from me. I kicked up a fit about it, it was after all MY BODY !!
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