Hemorrhoids

Dr. Rob:  

Long-time reader, first time writer!  I want to know why it is that my doctor makes me pay to get my own medical records.  It seems like since they are my records, they should be free to me!  Can you explain this to me?

– Lucy in Texas

Thanks, Lucy, for asking such an astute question that is near and dear to my heart.

There is, in fact, a simple answer as to why doctors don\’t want you to lay hands on their medical records, Lucy.  It\’s the same reason you don\’t want your son\’s underwear after his first semester in college (known to have broken autoclaves):  they stink.

Why do they stink?  It\’s complicated.  The best way to see this answer is to look into the past.  Way back.