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My Health Record is an Australia-wide catalogue of personal health information.
Individuals medical records are stored on a national database that can be viewed by patients, doctors and other medical staff.
According to the President of the Council of Australia Pakistan Medical Associations, Dr Sayeed Khan, My Health Record has all the medical data that can be accessed through a click of a button.
“The patient will be in full control of the health record. He or she will decide who can retrieve this information.
For example, if someone visits a GP, he will allow the GP to check his medical history but if he does not wants to share the data he can deny it. Similarly, if someone visits a hospital, or an emergency they will make the decision to allow their database to be accessed or not.
"Council of Australia Pakistan Medical Associations encourage Pakistani migrants to participate in My Health Record.” – Council President, Dr Sayeed Khan
The primary advantage is that if someone is travelling or has had an accident, that person or their doctor with the consent of the patient can quickly access that information.
Similarly, there will be no need to repeat medical tests as all the historical data would be available for diagnosis.”
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Medical records can include prescription history, emergency contacts, specialist and referral documents, allergy information, immunisation history, diagnostic imaging reports (such as ultrasound or X-ray results), pathology reports (such as blood tests), hospital discharge information, Medicare claims history, Indigenous, and organ donor status.
It has the backing of several peak medical bodies, including the Australian Medical Association, Royal College of Australian GPs and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
Why has the government has given 3 months to ‘opt-out’?
The database became operational around six years ago and currently has six million participants in it.
From 16 July, the government provided an ‘opt-out’ option for people to remove their names and data from the database if they don’t want to be a part of it.
This option will last for the next three months.
After that, every Australian will become part of My Health Records (excluding those who have opted-out.)
“The process is very simple, if someone wants to remove their data from My Health Record, they can visit the website and the whole process has 2-3 steps to follow and take off the data.” Dr Khan said.
Dr Sayeed Khan, President - Council of Australia Pakistan Medical Associations Source: Supplied
What will happen if there is a data breach?
There has been a concern in the media over the past few days over whether the data is safe in the online sphere and what might happen if there is a chance of hacking or a breach of the database.
Various healthcare providers will be able to access the information along with carers and other family members if given authorisation by the individual.
Law enforcement agencies could also be allowed access and there's concern that information may be provided to third parties such as medical researchers, according to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
But according to Dr Khan, there is always a possibility for hacking. However he says we have to be hopeful in this case.
“The Australian government has been at the top of their game; there might have been a couple of breaches but generally the data has remained safe. In the case of My Health Record the government has been extra careful as it is the personal data of people with sensitive information.”
I am a migrant, is it good for me?
Dr Khan strongly recommends that migrants who arrive in Australia and are becoming part of the local diaspora should have their data in My Health Record.
“It is very important for those whose first language is not English. The database would really help the health practitioners to diagnose someone who cannot speak English very well, especially parents, seniors and close relatives.”
How to Opt-out?
Opt-out forms will also be available in selected Australia Post outlets, indigenous health organisations and in prisons.
Parents with children under the age of 18 listed on their Medicare card can opt out on their behalf.
Children aged 14 and over can opt out individually online.
The public has until October 15 to declare they do not want their medical records stored on Australia’s My Health Record.
After this date, an e-health record will be created for every Australian by default.
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