Which medical record type uses a list of diagnoses at the front for quick reference?

The correct answer is problem-oriented medical records. This type of medical record organizes patient information around specific diagnoses or problems, making it easier for healthcare providers to reference and address the patient's ongoing health issues. At the forefront of a problem-oriented record, there is typically a problem list that enumerates all the patient's current diagnoses, allowing for quick access to relevant information during patient encounters. This structure promotes more efficient decision-making and continuity of care, as healthcare providers can quickly assess the patient's historical context alongside current problems.

In contrast, chronological records organize information in the order of when services were provided, which can make it more cumbersome to reference specific diagnoses quickly. SOAP notes, while a useful format for documenting patient encounters, primarily focus on the structure of each encounter rather than providing a comprehensive overview of multiple diagnoses. Source-oriented records are arranged based on the source of the information, such as lab results, physician notes, and imaging studies, lacking the focused problem list that defines problem-oriented records. Thus, problem-oriented medical records are specifically designed for quick reference and ease of use in managing patient care.