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RACGP to provide GPs with My Health Record education ahead of expected expansion


Doug Hendrie


24/04/2018 1:27:36 PM

The RACGP and the Australian Digital Health Agency will work together to help raise awareness and support for GPs and their patients to effectively use the My Health Record.

My Health Record is described as ‘a secure online summary of an individual’s health information’ .
My Health Record is described as ‘a secure online summary of an individual’s health information’ .

All Australians will have an electronic health record created for them by the end of the year – unless they choose to opt out.
 
More than 5.7 million Australians already have a My Health Record, with 6346 general practices, 1615 pharmacies and 985 hospitals connected to the system.
 
The Australian Digital Health Agency’s (ADHA) My Health Record – described as ‘a secure online summary of an individual’s health information’ – rolled out in 2012, but has been opt-in until now.
 
To help GPs prepare for the shift to opt-out, the RACGP will offer a professional development program on the key principles. The RACGP will work with the ADHA to improve understanding and support for the system among GPs and patients.
 
RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said it made sense for healthcare to go digital.
 
‘Most Australians make everyday use of digital services across a range of industries. A My Health Record can play an important role in optimising access to the information required to facilitate patient care,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘It is vital Australian GPs are informed as to how the My Health Record can help improve patient care and the crucial role they can play.
 
‘As such, the RACGP aims to support GPs to prepare for the My Health Record opt-out process and make informed decisions about the use of the My Health Record in their practice.’
 
Dr Steve Hambleton, Deputy Chair of ADHA’s My Health Record Expansion Programme, said RACGP support means the program has moved a step closer to accessing GPs’ patient information that previously would not have been easily available.
 
ADHA Chief Clinical Information Officer Dr Monica Trujillo agrees that the RACGP was an important partner.
 
‘The RACGP is increasing GP confidence in the use of the My Health Record system by communicating implementation changes to its large member base,’ she said.
 
Patients control the information held in the My Health Record system, meaning they can make sensitive information available only to specific healthcare providers if desired.
 
GPs have previously expressed concern about the time taken to manage electronic health records, and the issue of patients withholding health information that might be relevant to their immediate care.



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