If you’re like me, you’re probably over that silly clipboard ritual at the doctor’s office. Every visit, you’re handed the same forms, asking about past surgeries, medications, allergies, and health history—information you’ve already provided dozens of times. The clipboard may have worked 20 years ago, but in an age where we can instantly access almost anything from our phones, there’s no reason we should still be relying on paper forms and memory to communicate our health information.
And what’s worse? I never really feel confident that I remember everything accurately. Can you recall the exact dosage of every medication you've taken? Every past test result? If you’re also managing healthcare for an elderly parent or loved one, the challenge of remembering every detail becomes even harder.
It’s time for a better way—one that ensures doctors actually have the full picture when making medical decisions. AI-powered digital health platforms like Selfiie can solve this problem, giving you control over your medical history and ensuring doctors have the right information at the right time.
The clipboard ritual isn’t just annoying—it’s outdated. Here’s why it’s time to move on:
Emma, a 42-year-old mother of two, had been struggling with debilitating migraines for years. She bounced from doctor to doctor, hoping for answers. But each time, the process was the same: Fill out the same clipboard forms with a quick summary of symptoms; explain her history—only to have it dismissed or misunderstood; and leave with a new prescription that is finally going to be the solution, only to not be the solution to much at all.
"I felt like no one was looking at the bigger picture," Emma said. "Each visit felt like starting over. No one connected the dots between all the treatments I had already tried. And frankly some of the doctors didn’t bother to listen to me."
Finally, Emma started tracking her symptoms digitally using a personal health platform. She recorded:
"I decided that since doctors seem to like data, I should give them the bigger picture," Emma said. "He was surprised at first, but then saw a few ‘interesting’ patterns. I don’t usually want to hear a doctor say something of mine is ‘interesting’ but we are now trying a different approach this time and it seems to be much better so far.”
Emma’s story isn’t unique. Many women report feeling dismissed by their doctors when describing chronic pain, fatigue, or other difficult-to-diagnose conditions. According to a Mayo Clinic Press article, When Women Speak, Do Doctors Listen?, many women feel that their symptoms are downplayed or ignored by healthcare providers:
As the article emphasizes, patients who come prepared with thorough documentation are more likely to be taken seriously.
“Write it down. Bringing a list of questions with you can help you stick to those one or two problems and make sure you get every last concern about those specific problems addressed. Keep track of your symptoms in a simple diary in your smartphone or take pictures of a rash, for example. This can help you make sure you’re giving your clinician an accurate portrait of your symptoms.”
In addition to writing down your symptoms and questions, you can also get your complete medical records. Thanks to laws like the 21st Century Cures Act & The HIPAA Access Right , you are legally entitled to see your complete medical records and use services that let you keep and control your own data. Here’s how using digital health information can make your life easier:
Emma’s story is all too familiar. She wasn’t truly heard until she could show the big picture—until her doctor had all the details of her symptoms, treatments, and past experiences in one place. That shouldn’t be the exception—it should be the standard.
Yet, for most patients, every doctor’s visit still begins with a clipboard and a pen, forcing them to summarize their health history from memory in a few short lines. This outdated process isn’t just annoying and inefficient—it can lead to missed details, repeated tests, and ineffective treatments.
Instead of scrambling to remember past medications or when a symptom first appeared, be prepared before your next appointment:
Not only does this save you time and effort, but it also ensures your doctor has everything they need to make the best decisions for your care—without relying on handwritten forms that may never make it into your medical chart.
The clipboard had its time. Now it’s time for a smarter approach.