AUSTRALIA'S My Health Record digital health record system has come up trumps in an international review of digital health record systems in terms of giving the consumer control over their data.
The Digital Health Evidence Review, released by the Australian Digital Health Agency, brings together studies comparing My Health Record with similar systems across the world, including those in France, the UK, the USA and our closest neighbour New Zealand.
"We know through the important national conversation that is currently occurring that Australians expect and deserve strong safeguards, choice and control when it comes to their personal information," said Agency Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Meredith Makeham.
"As the Agency responsible for My Health Record, we need to continue to improve the system in consultation with the Australian community and their healthcare providers."
My Health Record was shown in the review to afford people among the most choice in how their medical information, such as their tests and scans, are stored and accessed from an international perspective.
"Although many countries have laws that allow users to view their health information, only Australia and a handful of other countries have laws that allow citizens to control who sees their information and request corrections to their own health data," says Makeham.
The review revealed that only French and Australian residents are allowed to edit or author parts of their record and only 32% of surveyed countries have legislation in place that allow individuals to request corrections to their data.
In addition, only 28% of surveyed countries have legislation that allows individuals to specify which healthcare providers can access their data.
More than six million Australians already have a My Health Record and 13,956 healthcare professional organisations are connected.
This includes general practices, hospitals, pharmacies, diagnostic imaging and pathology practices.
More at digitalhealth.gov.au.
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