What is the concept of ownership of medical records?

The concept of ownership of medical records typically refers to the legal rights regarding who controls and has access to a patient's health information. While patients have a right to access their medical records and control how their information is shared, healthcare providers or institutions usually own the physical records and are responsible for their maintenance and confidentiality. This ownership structure emphasizes the importance of patient privacy while allowing providers to manage health information effectively within the framework of laws and regulations, such as HIPAA in the United States.