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My Health Record toolkits to arrive this week


Amanda Lyons


11/07/2018 9:13:21 AM

GPs will soon receive information and resources designed to help them provide patients with the best advice about My Health Record.

Australian Digital Health Agency CEO, Tim Kelsey, intends its My Health Record toolkits to help GPs and patients understand the benefits and workings of the program. (Image: Lukas Coch)
Australian Digital Health Agency CEO, Tim Kelsey, intends its My Health Record toolkits to help GPs and patients understand the benefits and workings of the program. (Image: Lukas Coch)

The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA), which is implementing the coming expansion of My Health Record, is sending out nearly 20,000 education kits to healthcare practitioners across the country.
 
ADHA Chief Executive Officer Tim Kelsey wants to help GPs and other healthcare professionals so that they can, in turn, help their patients.
 
‘We are at a crucial point in the progression of digital healthcare in Australia, so it is essential we are committed to empowering those responsible for enabling it through the frontline services they deliver,’ he said.
 
The kits, part of ADHA’s investment in consumer education and provider awareness, contain items such as brochures, factsheets and posters designed to explain information relating to My Health Record. Such information will include the benefits of using My Health Record, what data it stores and collects, and how patients can opt out or find out more information.
 
The kits will be delivered to GPs and other relevant healthcare providers by Friday 13 July.
 
The RACGP is currently providing a professional development program about My Health Record.
 
‘Just as GPs need to be well informed, Australians need to be aware of their choices and controls when participating in My Health Record,’ Dr Nathan Pinskier, Chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – eHealth and Practice Services, said.
 
‘The RACGP supports the vision for a national electronic health record. Every week more than two million Australians visit a GP and this inevitably results in the creation of consumer healthcare data, some of which may flow to My Health Record.’
 
My Health Record was launched in 2012 as an opt-in program, but is being expanded by the Federal Government to cover all Australians by the end of this year, with an option to opt out during a three-month period starting on 16 July.
 
However, an RACGP poll conducted among its members earlier this year found a majority of respondents felt unprepared for the change and wanted further support to manage its impacts.
 
Many GPs have also indicated they would like more education to help them explain My Health Record to patients. Mr Kelsey believes ADHA’s information kits will help to achieve this goal.
 
‘The distribution of My Health Record toolkits is a significant moment in the Australian Digital Health Agency’s efforts to inform and educate all Australians about the benefits of My Health Record,’ he said.



ADHA Australian-Digital-Health-Agency e-health My-Health-Record


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