Question: When I looked through my patient portal recently, I noticed that “health anxiety” was written in my record. I’m not sure what to do about it, but it makes me nervous that future doctors might see that and not take my concerns as seriously. Is there a way I can politely ask for that wording to be changed or explained without upsetting my provider?

Your concern about this language in your medical record is completely valid. Labels like “health anxiety” can follow you through your healthcare journey and potentially influence how future providers interpret your symptoms and concerns. It’s smart to address this proactively, and there are diplomatic ways to approach the conversation that can help you understand the reasoning behind this notation while advocating for accurate documentation.

Why This Language Matters in Your Medical Record

Medical records serve as a roadmap for every provider who treats you in the future. When terms like “health anxiety” appear in your chart, they can create a lens through which new doctors view your symptoms and concerns. This can lead to what’s called “anchoring bias,” where providers focus on this label rather than approaching your symptoms with fresh eyes.

The challenge with psychiatric or psychological labels in medical records is that they can be used to explain away physical symptoms, even when those symptoms deserve thorough investigation. You’re right to be concerned about how this might affect your future care, especially if you’re dealing with complex or hard-to-diagnose conditions.

Understanding exactly what prompted this notation and whether it accurately reflects your situation is crucial for ensuring your record supports rather than undermines your ongoing healthcare.

Strategies to Address the Documentation

Request clarification about the entry. Start by asking your provider to explain the reasoning behind this notation. You can approach this directly but diplomatically:

“I noticed ‘health anxiety’ in my patient portal, and I’d like to understand what prompted that notation. Can you walk me through your thinking behind including that in my record?”

This approach positions you as wanting to understand rather than immediately challenging the entry. It gives your provider space to explain their clinical reasoning while opening the door for further discussion.

Ask about the specific behaviors or statements that led to this assessment. Understanding what your provider interpreted as anxiety can help you address any miscommunications:

“I want to make sure I’m communicating effectively about my symptoms. What specific things I said or did made you think anxiety was a factor? I’d like to understand so I can be clearer in future appointments.”

This framing shows you’re interested in improving communication rather than disputing their judgment, which can lead to more productive conversations.

Provide context for your healthcare engagement. If you feel the label mischaracterizes your advocacy efforts, you can offer additional perspective:

“I’m wondering if my thoroughness in tracking symptoms or asking questions might have been interpreted as anxiety. I tend to be very prepared for appointments because I’ve found that detailed information helps with getting accurate care. Could we discuss whether that’s what led to this notation?”

Requesting Record Modifications

Ask for more specific documentation. If the anxiety notation doesn’t accurately capture your situation, request more precise language. For example:

“Rather than ‘health anxiety,’ would it be more accurate to note ‘patient thoroughly tracks symptoms for complex condition’ or ‘patient advocates actively for comprehensive care’? I want to make sure future providers understand my approach to healthcare rather than seeing a psychiatric label.”

Request documentation of your actual concerns. Ensure that your specific symptoms and questions are documented alongside or instead of the anxiety notation:

“I’d like to make sure my specific symptoms and concerns are clearly documented in the record as well. Can we add detailed notes about the [specific symptoms/issues] I’ve been experiencing, so future providers have the full picture?”

Understand your rights regarding record amendments. If your provider is unwilling to modify the entry, you can ask about your rights to add clarifying information:

“If you feel the current notation is clinically appropriate, can I add a statement to my record explaining my perspective on this entry? I want future providers to understand my viewpoint as well.”

Maintaining a Collaborative Approach

Frame your concerns around wanting accurate documentation that serves your ongoing care rather than challenging your provider’s clinical judgment directly. You can say something like:

“My goal is making sure my medical record accurately represents my situation so that future providers can give me the best possible care. I’m concerned that this notation might overshadow my physical symptoms or make providers less likely to investigate new concerns thoroughly.”

If your provider seems defensive, you can acknowledge their expertise while still advocating for your needs:

“I respect your clinical assessment, and I also want to make sure we’re creating a record that helps rather than hinders my future care. Can we work together to find language that captures your observations while also ensuring my symptoms get appropriate attention?”

Moving Forward

If your provider refuses to modify the record or add clarifying information, that’s valuable information about their willingness to collaborate with you on your care. You may want to consider seeking a second opinion or finding a provider who’s more responsive to your documentation concerns.

Remember that you have the right to request copies of your complete medical record and to understand what’s documented about your care. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about entries that concern you or that might affect your future treatment.

Your instinct to address this proactively shows excellent self-advocacy. Medical records should work for you, not against you, and ensuring accurate documentation is a crucial part of getting good healthcare. Trust your concerns about how this language might affect your future care, and don’t let anyone dismiss those worries as “just anxiety.”

This response provides guidance on patient advocacy and communication strategies. It is not intended as medical or legal advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals about your specific medical concerns and treatment options.

Reader-submitted questions may be lightly edited for brevity and clarity, while preserving the original intent.