THE Consumers Health Forum (CHF) says the current debate about opting out of the My Health Record (MHR) system should not overshadow the potential benefits of the platform.
Last week a three month opt-out period began (PD 16 Jul), sparking concerns about privacy amid reports that thousands of people will not participate in the scheme.
CHF ceo Leanne Wells said issues about the privacy of MHR must be resolved, "however it is vital that we recognise the substantial benefits that an effective electronic health records system holds out for health care in Australia".
She noted that unlike many other parts of modern life, health information concerning medical treatment, medicines, tests, scans and hospital care "still often remains widely scattered and not immediately available in the way we take for granted in other spheres, such as banking & travel".
Wells said the CHF would host a series of public webinars on the MHR, noting that patchy uptake by clinicians and consumers risks the system being a "white elephant".
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