Final answer:
Patient data can be obtained without accessing their chart via data from office epidemiologists, communication with other caregivers, and direct patient interviews. These methods should be supplementary to the use of a patient's chart.
Step-by-step explanation:
In medical settings, there are several ways you can obtain information on a patient without opening up their chart. These methods include confidential records from office epidemiologists, verbal communication with other caregivers, and direct interviews with the patient. For instance, the public health office epidemiologists, based on a review of the patient's medical records, often interact with patients. This patient interaction can yield useful information about a patient's health informed by their personal narratives, which complements the information on their charts. However, it's crucial to clarify that these methods do not replace, but supplementary to the use of a patient's chart.
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