[sak9645]

You are not releasing your medical records to anyone.

You simply take the medical form required by your state for the homestudy, and the medical form required by China for the dossier, to your doctor.

There will be some "history" questions on the form, which the doctor will answer by looking at your records and possibly asking you questions. As an example, he may have to report whether you have ever had a diagnosis of cancer, whether you have had a sexually transmitted disease, whether you have been treated for alcoholism or drug addiction, whether you have had any surgical procedures in a certain time period, or whether you are currently taking any medications and, if so, for what.

If you haven't had a recent physical exam, or if your most recent physical exam did not include the tests that are requested on the forms, your doctor will need to do the exam and order the tests. He/she will then report those results that are requested, such as those for your urinalysis, HIV test, TB test, etc. Height and weight will usually be recorded.

The forms may also ask a general question about your physical and mental fitness to parent, which the doctor can answer very simply with a statement like: "The patient is in good health and is likely to have a normal lifespan. She appears well equipped for the physical and emotional challenges of parenting an internationally adopted child."

If you have sought any counseling, you will probably be required to have a letter from your therapist, in addition to one from your regular doctor. He/she will be asked to state your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

In general, agencies, your state, and China, will accept your doctor's report, as written. Once in a while, there will be a request for clarification. YOU will have to obtain the clarification, by asking your doctor to write a note explaining something -- for example, that you did have a breast biopsy last year, but that it was negative, with no evidence of any cancer.

There is absolutely no requirement, ever, for a social worker or anyone else to examine your medical records.

Sharon