PCP vs. OB-GYN: How's your coordination?

Hey everyone, please go easy on me here. :-)
So, I’ve got a bit of a situation. My dad is a doctor, and my medical records are all managed through his practice. I’m looking to start birth control pretty soon, but I’m stuck on one thing: is there any way he’d be able to see that? 🙂
Everything seems so digitized these days—all that data sitting in some big online database. Does that mean anything my gynecologist enters would just pop up on his screen too?
Thanks in advance for the help. If there happens to be an actual doctor on here who knows how these systems work, that would be amazing. 🙂 And honestly, anyone else with an opinion is welcome too. 🙂

crimsonpanther48 said:Greetings to everyone here. I hope you’ll all be kind enough to refrain from mocking me. :-)
I find myself facing a rather delicate predicament. My father is a physician, and my medical records are currently managed under his care. I am looking to begin a regimen of oral contraceptives in the near future, but I am plagued by a single, nagging concern: will this information be visible to him? Given the nature of our relationship, the transparency of these digital files is a significant worry. 🙂
I’ve been observing how everything has transitioned into these digital systems lately. It seems like every single scrap of patient data is now stored in some massive online database. It makes me wonder—is all that information, including the specific details my gynecologist enters during an appointment, actually visible to others within the system?
I appreciate everyone stepping up to help. If there happens to be a medical professional in this group who can provide some definitive insight, I would truly value your expertise. 🙂 And if anyone else happens to weigh in—I’d certainly be grateful for the insight. 🙂

Look, just be straight with him. Tell him you want to start on birth control because your cycle is a complete mess—it drags on forever and it’s becoming unmanageable. Frame it as a way to regulate your system and get things back under control, rather than making it sound like you're planning some grand romantic comeback. You aren't exactly signaling that you're looking to become hyper-active in the bedroom; you're just trying to fix a biological nuisance.

Sandra Martin72 said:Just tell your old man you want to start birth control because your periods are dragging on forever and you need to get things back on track. That way he won't go thinking you're just looking to get active.

Thanks for the suggestion, it’s actually not bad. 🙂 I might try that if it shows up in the system.

Anyway, if anyone actually knows the answer to the question... 🙂

I’m aware there's a connection to Medicare—they basically oversee the disability claims being approved—but honestly, it wouldn't be a stretch to assume everyone is in on it... at least, it would be perfectly logical if they were.

Look... I don't think they're linked in a way where a gynecologist would just stumble upon your dad's medical records, or vice versa. But if this is some new policy, it probably only applies to doctors taking Medicare; private practices shouldn't have anything to do with it. Honestly, if you're this stressed about your dad finding out, just go to a private doctor. They’re legally required to keep your health data strictly confidential anyway. Just... be careful with the double-edged sword here. If you end up getting sick or need bloodwork, they're going to ask if you're on birth control. You can't really lie about that because it actually matters for your health. Maybe just say you went in for an exam regarding irregular cycles or painful periods and they prescribed the pills. And that's that.😉

Does anyone happen to know a solid general practitioner gynecologist in downtown New York City? I’d be seriously grateful if you could point me in the right direction!🙏 I mean—I don't really want to drop a ton of cash on private doctors, even though they’re super sweet or whatever 😁

There’s no such thing as a "general practice gynecologist." You either see an OB-GYN or you go to your primary care doctor. If you're hunting for a solid gynecologist recommendation, take a look at this PDF: Women's Health. Otherwise, if you just need a regular GP, go ask in this thread: Looking for doctors/specialists/dentists/OB-GYNs