Why switching doctors creates an information gap
A new primary care doctor starts with essentially nothing about you unless records are formally transferred, which can take weeks and often arrives incomplete. In the meantime, your first appointment is only as useful as what you personally bring to it.
Formally transferring records from your old practice
- Request your records in writing from the previous practice — most require a signed release form.
- Ask for a full copy, not just a summary — request labs, imaging and visit notes specifically.
- Start this before your first new appointment, since it’s often slower than expected.
What to bring to the first appointment regardless
- Current medication list with doses
- Known allergies and conditions
- Recent lab results, if you have copies
- A brief summary of major past diagnoses or surgeries
Don’t wait for the formal transfer to arrive — bring what you have from memory and personal records to the first visit so it isn’t wasted.
Making the switch seamless with your own record
If your medications, allergies and visit history are already current in MedKeep, switching doctors stops being a research project. Export a PDF summary for the new doctor’s first visit, and keep it as your own permanent record regardless of which practice holds the official version.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring to my first appointment with a new doctor?
Your current medication list, known allergies and conditions, recent lab results if you have them, and a brief summary of major past diagnoses or surgeries.
How do I transfer medical records to a new doctor?
Request them in writing from your previous practice, usually via a signed release form, and ask for a full copy rather than just a summary — start this early, since it can take weeks.
How can I avoid gaps when switching primary care doctors?
Keep your own record current in MedKeep regardless of which practice holds the official file, and export a PDF summary for the new doctor’s first visit rather than waiting on a formal transfer.
Try it with MedKeep — free
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