All you need to know about opting in/out of My Health Record

My Health is the e-health record created for every Australian where you could opt in to share your details until now. But with recent changes, your records are automatically added to the database unless otherwise requested. The chance to opt out closes on October the 15th. Dr Bhaumik Shah talks about what is stored in this database about you and who has the access to your data.

Nurse comparing computer medical records to old paper records. Source: Digital Vision

My Health Record system is a digital form that contains a patient's health record in detail. 

It enables healthcare and other medical organizations to access any patient's health-related information quickly and effectively. It helps doctors and specialists to deliver the best treatment as it contains patient's emergency contact details, vaccination status, organ donation decision details, allergies, hospital discharge summary, etc.

The record system gives the right to nominate a person who can take decisions on behalf of the patient during an emergency situation.

If a child under the age of 18 is listed on the Medicare card his / her parents can opt out of My Health Record system on their behalf. Children aged between 14 to 18 may also choose whether to opt in or opt out.

Individuals can control their records by setting restricted access to specific documents but during an emergency situation when there is a serious threat to that individual's life, health or if the patient is unconscious, the medical organization can access those details. Unlocked restricted access records will available for a maximum of five days. 

My Health Record has set multi-layered security options including firewalls, secure login, and encryptions. 

Privacy experts have expressed particular concern, about cybersecurity and about the government having access to such sensitive information.

There is a three-month window to opt out, or have your records removed, from the electronic database.

For more details listen to the full interview with Dr Bhaumik Shah.

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