Sharing medical data with the adult kids can be sensitive

Getting your adult son or daughter involved in your medical care can be quite helpful, especially in terms of doctor’s appointments and managing prescriptions.

But do the kids have to know every single thing about your medical issues?

There could be some private matters that you don’t want to share and you have a right to privacy.

The first thing to remember is that if your son or daughter come into the examination room with you, this is implied consent and they can hear everything the doctor has to say about your medical condition, according to the Privacy Management Center at Indiana University.

So before you bring your son or daughter with you to a doctor’s appointment, here are some points to consider:

— If you will need clarification on what the doctor says, then ask for it and let your caregiver or offspring into the examination room.

— If there is some point you do not want to discuss with your child, then go into the exam room first and discuss the topic or inform the doctor of what you want to be kept private.

— If you want support, rather than decision-making, then stress this to your son or daughter.

— Remember that you have the right to disclose medical information or not.

In the case of kids who live far away from home, a new website could be of assistance.
Infosagehealth.org, a creation of Harvard Medical School, helps patients and families communicate and coordinate support. Patients can share information but also selectively withhold medical information.

Patients and trusted caregivers might want to share prescriptions lists or a coming appointment, but keep certain medical facts private.