Keeping a Medical Workbook

Having four children, two with significant medical issues, can be very overwhelming when trying to remember vaccines, surgeries, hospitalizations etc...I find it very helpful to keep a medical workbook for each child and bring it with me to all doctor visits.

I first began using medical workbooks when Joshua began having so many tests, hospitalizations and specialist visits, it was hard to keep track of all the information. I began a three inch binder and labeled the separators as Doctor Reports, Lab Tests, EEG, CT, MRI Reports, Surgeries and Hospitalizations, and Routine Care. After every significant visit, I would ask the office to send me the final report.

Now that I have a child with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE), I keep a workbook with labels that include foods tried, and foods to avoid. I also have a section labeled "studies" as he is participating in a study through 1st International Clinical Research Centers.

I keep a workbook for my other two children as well, even though they do not have any significant medical problems. It helps to know when that collar bone was broken, who took care of it and the hospital we went to get treated. With everything all in one place, it is a lot easier to address medical emergencies as they come up.

The final value of these workbooks is that you are aware of all that is being written an permanently filed about your child. You can be vigilant about making sure that there is a correct record of allergies and treatments.